Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez: Maduro still ‘legitimate president’https://t.co/tAwmMlDNxi
— The Hill (@thehill) February 13, 2026
According to The Hill, interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, strongly supports Nicolás Maduro, asserting that he still is the “legitimate president” of the nation, even while incarcerated in New York awaiting trial. This situation is remarkable, one would think that the person tasked with leading the country through such a transition would distance themselves, but Rodríguez is reaffirming Maduro’s innocence.
Rodríguez publicly addressed the situation, clearly stating her position concerning the charges brought by the Trump administration. She firmly defended both the former regime leader and his wife. “Yes, I can tell you that President Nicolás Maduro is the legitimate president. I can, I will tell you this as the lawyer that I am. Both President Maduro and Cilia Flores, the First Lady, are innocent,” Rodríguez declared.
Maduro faces serious charges, including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and widespread corruption after years of leading Venezuela. The inclusion of “narco-terrorism” indicates that the Department of Justice is treating this as a high-level threat that intermingles political power with a massive criminal enterprise. Maduro is currently detained in New York, awaiting his day in court.
While the DOJ is reportedly pressuring him to admit responsibility for the years of drug trafficking operations across the Latin American nation, the regime leader has pleaded not guilty to every charge.
For years, Maduro was at the helm of Venezuelan government operations, and these charges reflect a pattern of supposed illegal activity deeply ingrained in the political structure of Latin America. it is known that officials from both Venezuela and Bolivia have been implicated in the international transport of illegal narcotics. This extensive operation is oftentimes referred to as the Cartel of the Suns, allegedly involving high-ranking political figures.
Specifically, Maduro is accused of providing military-grade weaponry to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and of coordinating major drug routes with various criminal groups operating in Honduras. That sounds dreadful for the entire region’s stability.
As Maduro fights his legal battle from behind bars, Rodríguez is overseeing the transition period at home. She is leading the country while the Trump administration works to secure access to Venezuela’s oil-rich territory. This is where the story gets particularly intriguing from a global perspective. The Trump administration is not only focusing on the legal case; they are also keeping an eye on the future of Venezuelan resources.
The United States has made it clear that establishing a working relationship during this transition is paramount, especially given the energy potential. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, mentioned that he has been in communication with Delcy for five weeks, and the results are already impressive. He told an interviewer that the cooperation has been “incredible.” Wright praised the interim president’s performance, noting that she has provided vital information.
“Everything we know so far has proven to be true. She has made huge positive changes, including already changing the hydrocarbon law in the country within the first few weeks. So, I would say the cooperation has had a tremendous start,” Wright added.
The Hill