Venezuela’s acting leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has announced the establishment of a special commission to work towards securing the release of former president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following his removal from office in Caracas by United States forces.
Rodríguez appointed the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, as co-chairmen of the panel. The Minister of Information, Freddy Ñáñez, was also named as a member.
Maduro, who is accused by United States authorities of involvement in drug trafficking and terrorism, was arrested on Saturday and transported to New York.
He is currently being detained ahead of a scheduled court appearance on Monday.
In a message shared on Telegram, Rodríguez appealed for an improvement in diplomatic engagement with Washington.
“We consider it a priority to move toward a balanced and respectful relationship between the US and Venezuela,” she said, noting that dialogue and cooperation were necessary for mutual advancement.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s military has officially recognised Rodríguez as the acting president.
The Minister of Defence, Vladimir Padrino López, stated that the armed forces were acting in accordance with a ruling of the Supreme Court, which granted her a 90-day mandate to lead the nation.
He called on citizens to resume their normal daily activities following the United States operation that resulted in Maduro’s arrest.
“The homeland must follow its constitutional course,” Padrino said.
However, the defence minister condemned the operation, referring to it as a “cowardly kidnapping”, and alleged that some of Maduro’s bodyguards, as well as members of the military and civilians, were killed.
Authorities have not yet provided official figures regarding casualties.
