Interim President Delcy Rodríguez strongly condemned the ongoing interference and aggression by the United States against Venezuela. Speaking on Sunday before over two thousand workers at the Puerto La Cruz Refinery of Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) in Anzoátegui, Rodríguez reaffirmed the Bolivarian Government’s commitment to national sovereignty.

"Enough of Washington's dictates on Venezuelan politics! Enough of foreign powers! This Republic has paid a very high price for having to face the consequences of fascism," Rodríguez declared, addressing the crowd gathered in one of Venezuela’s key energy hubs.

She emphasized that the United States does not govern Venezuela and called on the US government to resolve differences through diplomatic means. She stressed the country’s willingness to engage in respectful dialogue while firmly rejecting any external efforts to undermine national sovereignty.

Call for diplomacy and respectful dialogue

Rodriguez underlined the government's priority in defending the homeland and denounced what she described as calls for blockades and military intervention by extremist sectors both within and outside the country. These forces, she stated, do not deserve the recognition of the Venezuelan people.

Her remarks come amid heightened tensions following a US-led military operation on January 3, which resulted in the kidnapping of Venezuela's constitutional president, Nicolás Maduro, and First Lady Cilia Flores. Since then, Rodríguez has repeatedly asserted that the United States does not govern the country and warned of escalating foreign intervention.

The military aggression on January 3 culminated with the abduction and transfer of Maduro and his wife to New York. According to Venezuelan officials, this act constitutes a violation of international law and national sovereignty.

On January 5, Maduro appeared before Judge Alvin Hellerstein in New York, where he pleaded not guilty. During the hearing, he declared himself a prisoner of war and reaffirmed his role as the legitimate president of Venezuela. He stated that he was acting in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

Maduro calls on Venezuelans to pray for peace 

As Maduro remains in detention, solidarity events have taken place across Venezuela. During a day of prayer for peace and national unity, Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez shared a message from the president, who urged the people to pray for the country’s path toward stability and sovereignty.

The message, delivered through his son, Congressman Nicolás Maduro Guerra, called on Venezuelans to support peace and remember those affected by the events of January 3. “He is praying from the place where he is being held,” Meléndez said, adding that both the president and the First Lady are resisting with strength and dignity.

In his message, Maduro reaffirmed his status as Venezuela’s constitutional president and highlighted his commitment to international law. His son echoed the call for unity and resistance, asking Venezuelans to pray for the country’s future, for those who were wounded or killed, and for the restoration of national dignity.