Venezuela’s military has called for calm and a return to normal activities after recognising Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s acting president, following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces.
In a televised address on Sunday, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López urged Venezuelans to resume their daily routines, including economic, work, and educational activities, as the country navigates a sudden political transition.
“I call on the people of Venezuela to resume their activities of all kinds — economic, work and education — in the coming days,” Padrino López said.
The announcement follows a ruling by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on January 3, 2026, which ordered Rodríguez to assume interim leadership after Maduro was seized by U.S. authorities and taken out of the country to face trial.
Rodríguez, a close ally of Maduro and a central figure in his administration, addressed the nation earlier, describing the former president’s removal as an illegal act and vowing to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty. She has pledged to maintain constitutional order while the legal and political implications of Maduro’s detention unfold.
The military’s endorsement is seen as a critical move to prevent unrest and ensure continuity of government amid widespread uncertainty. Venezuela has experienced political instability for years, and the abrupt change in leadership has heightened tensions both domestically and internationally.
Reactions to the developments have been sharply divided. While the United States maintains that Maduro’s arrest is part of a criminal prosecution, several regional governments and international actors have condemned the operation as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
As the situation continues to evolve, Venezuelans face an uncertain political future, with the legitimacy of the interim leadership and the fate of Maduro expected to dominate national and international debate in the coming weeks.
