Author: La Tabla/Data Journalism Platform 11 FEB 2026
In an interview with Rob Schmitt (Newsmax), Jorge Rodríguez (President of the National Assembly of Venezuela), shared eight “confessions” about his relationship with the U.S. government following the “traumatic event” of January 3.
We present them here, arranged by their political impact and the significant break they represent from historical Chavismo discourse.
1. The Economic Model Confession: Goodbye to socialism, welcome free market
“Venezuela’s interest is to advance and promote education and culture through a free market economy.”
For the first time, a senior official from the government explicitly rejects the socialist model and embraces the free market as the way forward. He also admits, “We have made some mistakes” and “the blockade has brought difficulties.”
2. The Direct Contact: Marco Rubio, the anti-Maduro hawk, is now his partner
“I talk much more with Marco Rubio than with Scott Bessent. It’s a relationship based on mutual respect.”
The Republican senator, a longtime advocate of sanctions and a hardline approach against Chavismo, is revealed as the everyday link between Delcy Rodríguez’s government and the Trump administration. Rodríguez acknowledges they coordinate “the stabilization” of the country.
3. Oil Policy: Fast-track reform to hand over virgin fields to the U.S.
“At the request of President Delcy Rodríguez, we reformed the energy law to allow foreign companies –especially from the United States– to exploit the green fields.”
He admits that the law in place since 2008 (during the nationalization phase) was an obstacle, and that the reform was made at the express request of the acting president, approved with opposition votes.
4. Silence from China and Russia: “We are in the American continent”
When Schmidt questioned the silence from Moscow and Beijing after the capture of Maduro, Rodríguez responds: “There is a very refutable reality: we are on the American continent.”
This is an implicit admission that traditional allies will play no role in this new phase and that Washington is the only viable partner.
5. Elections: No elections in the “immediate period”
“There will be no elections in this immediate period needed for stabilization. If an agreement with the opposition is reached, a schedule could be established.”
He rules out presidential elections in the short term. “Stabilization” –i.e., maintaining power– is the priority. When Schmitt suggests that this admission implies the last elections were illegitimate, Rodríguez dodges: “No, we have been divided for a long time.”
6. Maduro and Cilia Flores: release conditioned by “international law”
“President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores should be released according to international law.”
This is the only mention, lacking any firm demand for repatriation or condemnation of the U.S. for the capture, with a bureaucratic, almost indifferent tone.
7. Amnesty Law: the conditional return of the opposition
Rodríguez reveals that they are processing an amnesty law that would allow the return of exiled opposition leaders, but with conditions: they must not have promoted violence or invasions. It’s the first time an official spokesperson talks about a legal framework to facilitate the return of their adversaries.
8. The Message to Trump: “We have a golden opportunity”
“In the last 33 days, things have progressed very quickly. We have a golden opportunity to build a situation where everyone wins.”
This direct message to President Trump –who, according to Schmitt, follows the program– reflects total alignment and willingness to negotiate the country’s resources.
Co-governance in 8 lines:
Jorge Rodríguez not only confirmed a de facto co-governance with the U.S. but dismantled, in 13 minutes, the three pillars of the Chavista discourse: anti-imperialism (now a partner of Rubio), socialism (now a free market), and sovereign oil (now green fields for transnationals). The interview, aired by an ultra-conservative channel friendly to Trump, was the perfect vehicle to send signals to Washington.