Who is Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president of Venezuela?
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Venezuela's Vice-President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez addressing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Caracas in August.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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CARACAS - Ms Delcy Rodriguez, declared the interim president of Venezuela after Mr Nicolas Maduros’ capture by US forces
Over more than a decade in public life, the 56-year-old has amassed significant influence, earning her the nickname “the tsarina”, while Mr Maduro has called her a “tigress” for her staunch defence of his socialist government, which has presided over a deep economic crisis, alleged torture and arbitrary detentions and the exodus of some eight million migrants.
She has been vice-president since 2018, simultaneously serving first as finance minister and then as oil minister. Before that, she was communications minister, foreign minister and the head of a pro-government legislature. She works closely with her brother, Mr Jorge Rodriguez, who is the head of the National Assembly.
The Rodriguez siblings are the children of leftist guerrilla fighter Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, who founded the revolutionary Socialist League Party and was arrested in 1976 for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of an American businessman.
He died in police custody due to what his family alleges was torture, and Mr Maduro has praised him as a hero of the Venezuelan left.
Ms Delcy, a lawyer specialising in labour law, spent nine years in France and England pursuing postgraduate studies.
She participates in table tennis competitions with her brother, which they often share on social media. In public appearances, she is often seen wearing luxury clothing brands.
As vice-president, after years of hyperinflation amid US sanctions, she implemented orthodox policies including cutting public spending, limiting credit and a fixed dollar-bolivar rate, which helped lower triple-digit inflation.
She has managed to keep oil production at an average of about 1.1 million barrels per day in 2025, and her role has put her in close contact with foreign oil companies like Chevron.
Sometimes described by industry leaders as a “workaholic”, Ms Rodriguez attends many private sector events, something other public officials neglected to do for years.
She is the Venezuelan official who travels most frequently to China, Russia, and Turkey, some of Venezuela’s allies. REUTERS
