Known for her combative stance against the USA, Delcy Rodriguez is a defender of Chavismo and maintains strong links with the military sector. His role as number two in the Maduro regime is marked by controversies related to human rights and the management of the Venezuelan economic crisis.
Delcy Eloina Rodríguez Gómezcurrent vice-president of Venezuela, is one of the most influential and controversial figures in contemporary Venezuelan politics and emerges, after the at the center of the debate. Born on May 18, 1969, in Caracas, she has stood out for her prominence in the government of Nicolás Maduro, being one of the main defenders of the Chavista regime and its internal and external policies.
Delcy Rodríguez, second in the line of presidential succession, according to the Venezuelan Constitution, is a lawyer specializing in labor law and daughter of Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, a left-wing guerrilla responsible for founding the Socialist League.
Before occupying the position of vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez built a solid career within the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV)which follows the ideologies of Hugo Chávez, historic Venezuelan leader between 1999 and 2013.
He began his political career in 2003 as a member of the National Constituent Assemblywhere he stood out for his fervent defense of the Bolivarian political project, instituted by Chávez and continued by Maduro.
In 2006, it became Minister of Presidential Affairs and, between 2013 and 2014, he held the position of minister of Communication and Information.
From 2014 onwards, he took over the position of Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Affairsplaying a crucial role in Venezuelan diplomacy, facing international sanctions and working to legitimize the Chavista government in the international sphere.
As a minister, Delcy Rodríguez adopted a combative stance towards the United States and the European Uniondenouncing what he considered to be attempts at foreign interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. Furthermore, his rhetoric aligned with the Venezuelan government’s narrative about an alleged “imperialist blockade”.
Appointment as vice president
Em 2018, Delcy Rodríguez gained even more notoriety when she was named vice president of the Republicreplacing Tareck in Zaida He Aissami Madda.
From 2024, she accumulated the role with the position of Minister of Petroleum.
Since then, she has established herself as one of Nicolás Maduro’s main allies, often being seen as the leader’s shadow and a tireless defender of government policies. Its performance is also characterized by a strong support for the repression of political opposition.
Despite its significant influence on power, Delcy Rodríguez is a figure qthat divides opinions.
For supporters, it represents resistance in the face of international aggression and firm leadership in times of crisis. For critics, it is a symbol of the continuity of an authoritarian regime, accused of violating human rights and leading the country towards a serious economic, social and political crisis.
His vice-presidency was also marked by a close proximity to the military sectorone of the pillars of Maduro’s government.
It has been identified as one of those responsible for negotiating agreements with the armed forces, which play a fundamental role in maintaining power. This proximity has generated controversy, especially with regard to alleged human rights abuses and the repression of popular demonstrations.
International reviews
In a context of profound economic crisis, marked by worrying levels of inflation and a serious shortage of essential goods, Delcy Rodríguez has been an advocate of so-called “21st century socialism”which proposes solutions based on State intervention and control of the economy.
However, his management has been widely criticized by experts, who point to the lack of structural reforms as one of the main causes of the deterioration of the country’s economic situation.
Despite internal and international criticism, Delcy Rodríguez continues to be a central figure in Venezuelan politics, with consolidated influence in the areas of politics, economics and diplomacy.
His performance as vice president, although marked by controversies, reflects the continuity of the Chavista model and the resistance of the Venezuelan government to external and internal pressures.
