Venezuelan Parliament Acts After Maduro Ouster, Swears in Interim President

Overview: Delcy Rodríguez, longtime vice president, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on January 5, 2026, following the U.S. capture and trial of Nicolás Maduro. Reuters Her appointment aims to maintain political continuity amid deep domestic tensions and international scrutiny. Reuters The move has drawn varied global responses, with some nations backing her leadership and others questioning the legality of foreign intervention.

Riyaz

Jan-07-2026

Venezuelan Parliament Acts After Maduro Ouster, Swears in Interim President

On January 5, 2026, two days after U.S. troops ousted President Nicolás Maduro to stand trial in New York on drug charges, the National Assembly officially swore in Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. One of the oldest and most experienced members of the Maduro government, Rodriguez declared before lawmakers in Caracas her commitment to provide leadership on behalf of all Venezuelans in the face of deep political uncertainty. Ruling party loyalists in the parliament condemned the apprehension of Maduro and vowed their assistance to Rodriguez in the leadership of Venezuela as it faces internal tensions and international pressure.

Who is Delcy Rodríguez as the Interim President

The new sworn interim president of Venezuela is Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez, who assumed the office on January 5, 2026, following the ousting of Nicolás Maduro.
She was a former vice president of Venezuela who served in that capacity for several years and was one of the strongest personalities in the administration of Maduro.
Rodrigues is a graduate lawyer, diplomat, and former foreign minister and oil minister.
She is a high-ranking official in the ruling United Socialist Party and is very much in line with the military and political elite in the country.
Her appointment is an indication of the continuous survival of the current power resource in the political transition of Venezuela.

PYQs-Based Questions and Answers

Exam	Year	Question	Answer
UPSC CSE Mains (GS-II)	2018	How does foreign intervention affect the sovereignty of a nation?	Foreign intervention weakens national sovereignty by limiting independent decision-making and increasing external influence over domestic affairs.
UPSC CSE Prelims	2020	Which form of government does Venezuela follow?	Venezuela follows a presidential form of government.
SSC CGL	2021	What is meant by an interim government?	An interim government is a temporary government formed to run a country until a new permanent government is elected.
Railway NTPC	2022	What is the name of the legislature of Venezuela?	The legislature of Venezuela is called the National Assembly.

Conclusion

The parliament of Venezuela responded expeditiously to the toppling of Nicolás Maduro and reconvened interim president Delcy Rodríguez to ensure political continuity and stability in the country. The fact that she was appointed indicates attempts at establishing national control amid international conflict and dilemmas, and the nation is left in limbo, out of speculation of who leads, and more so, whether the country would engage with foreign states.