By Ayomide Otitoju
Venezuela’s military on Sunday formally recognised Delcy Rodríguez, deputy to ousted president Nicolás Maduro, as the country’s acting leader following the US-led extraction of Maduro for trial.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez read a statement on television endorsing a Supreme Court ruling that appointed Rodríguez as acting president for 90 days. He urged Venezuelans to resume normal activities, including work, education, and economic engagements, emphasizing that the nation must follow its constitutional course.
Padrino described Maduro’s removal as a “cowardly kidnapping,” alleging that some of the former president’s bodyguards, as well as military personnel and civilians, were killed “in cold blood” during the US operation. Venezuelan authorities have not released an official casualty count.
The announcement came amid uncertainty following the dramatic US operation, which President Donald Trump indicated could open the way for Washington to work with Rodríguez.
On the ground, Caracas remained largely deserted on Sunday, with many businesses closed and only moderate queues at markets and pharmacies, reflecting public caution in the wake of the raid.
