This is the written version of the interview conducted with the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez, by journalist Rob Schmidt from the U.S. media Newsmax.
The English version is published verbatim along with its automated translation to Spanish via Google Translate.
The brother of Venezuela’s acting president stated to Newsmax that Delcy Rodríguez is stabilizing the nation following the capture of dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were extradited to the United States to face federal drug charges.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, told “Rob Schmitt Tonight” during an exclusive interview in Caracas on Saturday that the turmoil resulting from Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces has not left lasting effects on the country as a whole, despite the operation’s traumatic nature.
“The country has been incredibly mature about it, even though it was a highly traumatic event which took place,” Jorge Rodríguez said through an interpreter.
The government led by Delcy Rodríguez is in fact focused on stabilizing the country completely and reconciling the entire Venezuelan population.
Jorge Rodríguez has been leading the National Assembly since 2021 under the Simon Bolivar Great Patriotic Pole, which is a coalition of leftist and socialist parties.
He mentioned that Venezuelans are eager to return to a normal way of life after the upheaval caused by Maduro’s capture.
“We know you have been around Caracas lately, and you’ve seen the normalcy on the streets,” he said.
“We are aware that the people are looking to consolidate and get back to normality and to live their lives.”
Jorge Rodríguez has long been a prominent figure in Venezuelan politics. He served as vice president under the late dictator Hugo Chávez from 2007 to 2008 and was the mayor of Caracas from 2008 to 2017.
Venezuela’s most recent elections were held in 2024, when many international observers, including the United States, stated that the opposition Vente Party had won.
The State Department later condemned what it referred to as Maduro’s “illegitimate attempt to seize power,” asserting that Washington did not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate president after he claimed victory and sought to remain in office.
Jorge Rodríguez said that he does not expect elections to be held in the near future.
“The only thing I can say is that there will not be an election in this immediate period of time while stabilization is needed,” he explained.
“What we have agreed upon, what we’re currently working on, is what we call the reinstitutionalization of the country so that every single institution can be restored to full power and recognition by all,” he continued.
“We will work on a timetable that suits everyone and ensures that all guarantees are safe for both winners and losers, provided by the current parties.”
Jorge Rodríguez was questioned if that implied the last election was illegitimate.
“No,” he said. “There’s a reality indicating that we have been divided for a very long time. … In Venezuela, we have a very clear itinerary, and this is explicitly stated in the Constitution of Venezuela.”
“This interim government will adhere strictly to what the Constitution states.”