Venezuela's acting president rejects US orders as Maduro-era tensions persist
Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s acting president, told oil workers in Puerto La Cruz that she has had enough of Washington’s orders as she works to unite a country divided by Maduro loyalists, opposition, and anti‑Maduro factions after the US captured Maduro. Washington has pressed Caracas on oil production and demanded severing ties with China, Iran, Russia and Cuba while prioritizing US oil interests; Rodríguez has sought to balance domestic loyalties with not provoking Washington, reiterating that the US does not govern Venezuela, amid oil’s central role in the economy and ongoing internal tensions.