Venezuela’s interim government, under President Delcy Rodriguez, has initiated a significant cabinet reshuffle, dismissing Alex Saab, a controversial businessman and former ally of Nicolas Maduro, from his role as Minister of Industry. Saab, released by the US in 2023, was appointed by Maduro earlier in 2024. The Ministry of Industry will now merge with the Commerce Ministry. This move comes amid intense pressure from Washington following the January 3 US military operation that led to Maduro’s removal and subsequent jailing in New York on drug trafficking charges. This dismissal is one of several key government shifts undertaken by Rodriguez since her assumption of interim leadership.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has hailed these developments as the initial stages of a “true transition” to democracy for Venezuela, emphasizing the crucial support from the United States and President Donald Trump. Machado, speaking in Washington, highlighted the stolen 2024 election and the profound regional impact of a democratic shift. However, a divergence in US strategy is evident, as President Trump has sidelined Machado, instead backing Rodriguez as interim leader. Officials indicate this decision reflects Rodriguez’s willingness to align with US directives, particularly regarding Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, a point Machado criticized as Rodriguez “following orders.”
The political maneuvers coincided with a visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Caracas, where he met with Rodriguez to convey Washington’s expectations for an improved working relationship with the interim administration. Adding to the complex dynamics, a US deportation flight carrying 231 Venezuelans landed in Caracas, marking the first such flight since Maduro’s removal, underscoring a priority for the Trump administration. In a symbolic gesture, Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, though its disposition after their White House meeting remains unclear. Rodriguez, for her part, has vowed diplomatic engagement with Washington while maintaining preparedness to confront the US when necessary, a stance articulated during her delivery of Maduro’s state of the nation address to parliament.
This cabinet reshuffle, spearheaded by Rodriguez, signifies a broader effort by the interim government to consolidate its authority and strategically align key policies with US priorities. The dismissal of Saab and the subsequent restructuring are expected to profoundly influence Venezuela’s political landscape in the coming months, particularly impacting the energy sector, trade relations, and the country’s international standing. The ongoing tension between Rodriguez’s interim government and opposition factions, highlighted by Machado’s warm reception in Washington, underscores the intricate path Venezuela navigates towards a complex political transition.
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