Multiple sources familiar with her movements say Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is currently in Russia, away from Caracas, following Saturday morning’s U.S. large-scale military strikes and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Four people with direct knowledge of her whereabouts told Reuters that Rodríguez is in Russia, though Russia denies it, calling the reporting “fake news.” Rodríguez also appeared in an audio message on Venezuelan state television calling for proof of life for Maduro and his wife. Meanwhile, her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, is reported to still be in Caracas.
Reports of Rodríguez’s presence in or escape to Russia come amid intense international reaction to U.S. actions, with the Kremlin denouncing the operation and reaffirming support for Venezuela’s sovereignty.
If confirmed, Rodríguez’s departure underscores the regime’s disarray, as evidenced by celebrations in Caracas and condemnations from allies such as Russia and China, whose S-300 defenses failed to counter the U.S. operation.
During an appearance on Fox News, Trump said one helicopter was badly damaged in Saturday’s attack. He also claimed that Mexican drug cartels, rather than President Claudia Sheinbaum, effectively control the country, tying their cross-border criminal operations to the roughly 300,000 fentanyl-related deaths in the United States.
Saturday’s strikes that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife marked a dramatic escalation of the decades-long Venezuelan crisis, fueled by fraudulent elections and economic collapse.
Although the development risks a power vacuum, as seen in Iraq, it could dramatically reshape Latin American geopolitics by diminishing Russian and Chinese influence in the region.
Rodríguez, 56, is the daughter of Jorge Antonio Rodríguez, a leftist guerrilla leader who founded the Liga Socialista movement in the 1970s. Maduro has publicly praised her as a “tiger,” citing her unwavering loyalty and fierce defense of his socialist regime.
Despite her staunch socialist credentials, she has developed a reputation for indulging in high-end designer fashion.
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Despite her staunch socialist credentials, she has developed a reputation for indulging in high-end designer fashion. Sounds like Mamdani’s wife.
since unrecognized cartels are supposely illegally running the nation, I would not be surprised to see they try to attack in retalliation, but that would be a huge error on their part as it will bring everlasting hell down on them like they never dreamed of.