FILE - Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez smiles during a meeting with a delegation led by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)
RMCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Delcy RodrÃguez remained Venezuela’s acting president on Monday, exceeding the 90-day limit on her temporary role set by the country's high court following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro in January.
However, it's unclear how much longer she will keep the post as lawmakers have not taken a public vote to extend her term past last Friday’s deadline.
According to the court order, is still officially Venezuela’s president and his “forced†absence resulting from a “kidnapping†makes it temporarily impossible for him to fulfill his duties.
Under Venezuela's constitution, according to an article referenced by the court, temporary absences are to be filled by the vice president — which was RodrÃguez’s former role — for up to 90 days. These interim appointments can be extended by the national assembly for an additional 90 days.
The National Assembly, controlled by RodrÃguez’s party, can trigger a snap election if lawmakers declare the post permanently vacant.
The government’s press office did not respond to requests for comment.
Ronal RodrÃguez, a researcher at the Venezuela Observatory in Colombia’s Universidad del Rosario, said the government, particularly after Maduro took office in 2013, has previously used legal interpretations to remain in power.
“And it would be no surprise if they did so again now,†he said. “They will most likely try to come up with some kind of explanation, such as it being Good Friday or the way the days were counted, but in the end, everything will be validated by a ruling from the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.â€
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured Jan. 3 in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Both have .
RodrÃguez and other ruling-party leaders have demanded that the pair be released from custody, calling their detention a kidnapping. Billboards and murals across Caracas also echo that same demand.
The Trump administration stunned Venezuelans by choosing to work with RodrÃguez following Maduro’s ouster, instead of the country’s political opposition. She has since led cooperation with the administration’s phased plan to end Venezuela’s complex crisis, pitching her to international investors and opening its energy sector to private capital and international arbitration. RodrÃguez has also replaced senior officials, including and attorney general.
U.S. President Donald Trump has praised her work.
The U.S. Treasury Department last week , while the U.S. State Department last month recognized her as the “sole Head of State†of Venezuela.
The United States stopped recognizing Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader in 2019, the year after in a contest widely considered a sham as opposition parties and candidates were barred from participating.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
The Associated Press
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Tax: | |
| Today's total: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
