Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president of Venezuela, has declared that Nicolas Maduro continues to be the legitimate leader of the country despite his recent capture by US military forces. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken during a military raid in Caracas on January 3 and are currently being held in the US facing drug trafficking charges, both of whom maintain their innocence. Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro's vice president, stepped into power following this intervention, emphasizing her belief in their innocence and condemning the actions of the US government.

In her comments to NBC News, Rodriguez highlighted her intention to move towards normalizing relations with the United States, reflecting a potential shift in Venezuela’s foreign policy. Despite the serious allegations against Maduro and Flores, she indicated that diplomatic dialogue might pave the way for collaboration between the two nations. Rodriguez noted that she has received an invitation to the US capital, suggesting that discussions regarding US-Venezuela relations are actively being pursued.

Moreover, the visit of US Energy Secretary Chris Wright to Caracas underscores the importance of Venezuela's oil industry to US interests. Talks between Wright and Rodriguez are expected to focus on revitalizing the country's oil sector, which has been significantly impacted by sanctions and has presented challenges to Venezuela's economy. This development indicates a complex landscape in which geopolitical tensions intertwine with economic necessities, potentially leading to new strategies in US-Venezuela relations.