The interim president of Venezuela still has much work to do to demonstrate that the worst of Nicolás Maduro's regime is behind her.
Delcy Rodríguez has completed 15 days at the helm of Venezuela. She does so under the carefully chosen title of "interim president," a designation bestowed upon her after the fall of Nicolás Maduro, the narco-dictator. This title is valid both under the Chavista Constitution and the Trump administration.
The current head of the regime knows, however, that she must reaffirm this position time and again, especially at the White House. On January 14, just six days ago, Rodríguez spoke by phone with Donald Trump, who celebrated the call on his social media platform, Truth. Hours later, the US president would receive María Corina Machado, the unwavering leader of the Venezuelan people. Trump said it was a "great honor" to meet such a "wonderful woman."
During her stay in Washington, MCM met with several officials. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate understands that, for the moment, the path to Venezuela's democratic recovery will be long and perhaps fraught with difficulties. A path fraught with obstacles.
But it is Delcy who faces the greatest challenge today. This challenge transcends oil, minerals, natural resources, and even the restoration of democracy and its institutions. Or perhaps this challenge is pivotal, enabling all the others to function and be reborn. Delcy must dismantle the narco-state consolidated during the years of Maduro and his accomplices.
The United States and its allies have pledged their full support and the necessary resources so that Rodríguez is not remembered as the dictator's heir, but rather goes down in national history as the bridge between the most brutal of Latin American dictatorships of the last 40 years and a fully functioning democracy with credible and robust institutions. Providing constant support to the experienced Chavista leader will be her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, a key piece in this puzzle whose pieces still don't quite fit together. The head of the National Assembly is perhaps the most valuable asset of the former regime who can act as an interlocutor with Washington. He is also the one who consistently proposed the current commander-in-chief as the most rational option for an orderly exit from the dictatorship.
“We are making extraordinary progress as we help Venezuela stabilize and recover,” said Trump after hanging up with Rodríguez, the “interim president.”
This progress must increase significantly: in the coming days, in addition to continuing the exasperating and dramatic trickle of hostage releases—Note to the media: Is there a medical/food restriction preventing the full opening of the clandestine detention centers? Does the regime want to stabilize some of its prisoners before they are released?—its diplomatic outreach, and its oil contracts, the current administration should give new concrete signs of its fight against drug trafficking.
This is the task most closely watched from Washington and the rest of Latin America. Delcy Rodríguez must present evidence that the drug trafficking structures that have corrupted and controlled the country for two decades are on the verge of extinction. How will the interim president dismantle a criminal network like the Cartel of the Suns?
Would a significant achievement in this area allow Delcy Rodríguez to redeem herself in the eyes of the Venezuelan people? It's difficult to predict; very difficult. The Chavista leader was part of the structure that, until just 20 days ago, subjected her population to the grim refuge of resignation. But eliminating drug trafficking from the heart of power would give her international support and allow her to dream of historical pardon, even if it's too early to predict.
The human, political, economic, social, and institutional future of Venezuela depends today—in fact—on what Delcy Rodríguez can achieve to dismantle the internal influence of the drug cartels. The coming weeks and months will not only seal her fate as "interim president," but will also define the fate of Venezuelans currently living in the country and those who dream of returning someday.
But to gain the trust of the rest of the world and to one day be absolved by history—in the words of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro—Delcy must be ruthless with those who challenge her and who seek to maintain the narco-regime that existed until Saturday, January 3. Maintaining the status quo and attempting to deceive the world will be her ultimate downfall.
There is no longer room for deception, delays, or drug traffickers in Venezuela. That time is over. The new era is approaching, even if it seems to be unfolding in slow motion.
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