María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela’s opposition party, has characterized the newly appointed interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, as “perhaps even more ruthless” than her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro. This assertion came during an interview with Tony Dokoupil that aired on CBS Evening News on Tuesday evening. Machado’s comments reflect widespread skepticism regarding Rodríguez’s ability to lead the country following Maduro’s capture and transfer to the United States.
Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, was sworn in as interim president after Maduro’s apprehension on March 15, 2024. Machado alleges that Rodríguez has been “one of the main architects” of Maduro’s oppressive regime, which has drawn international condemnation. “Everybody in Venezuela and abroad knows perfectly who she is and the role she has played,” Machado stated during the interview.
The Venezuelan military has expressed its support for Rodríguez, who is currently 56 years old. In her critical remarks, Machado, who has been in hiding since the disputed 2024 election, stated that Rodríguez is not only complicit in the government’s human rights violations but also a central figure in its operational structure. She described Rodríguez as the leader of torture sites in Venezuela, further complicating her legitimacy as president.
In a separate interview, former hostage negotiator Roger Carstens indicated that the Maduro regime had tortured Americans arrested in Venezuela for minor offenses, underscoring the severity of the human rights situation under Maduro’s administration. Rodríguez was sanctioned during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration for her involvement in sustaining Maduro’s authoritarian rule, yet she has not faced any criminal charges in the United States.
Machado expressed her belief that the U.S. government has been directed to take specific actions aimed at dismantling the “criminal structure” established under Maduro’s regime. Nonetheless, she emphasized that “nobody trusts her,” which could hinder Rodríguez’s effectiveness in her new role as interim president. Machado also alleged that Rodríguez had acted as the primary conduit for communications with nations such as Russia and Iran, which have engaged in activities detrimental to Venezuela’s stability.
Despite the challenges posed by the current political climate, Machado remains hopeful about the resilience of the Venezuelan people. She plans to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible” following the recent developments and continues to advocate for a transition to democracy in the country.
For further insights, viewers can watch more of María Corina Machado’s interview with Tony Dokoupil on CBS Evening News at 18:30 ET.