Jorge Rodríguez, who presides over Venezuela's National Assembly and is the brother of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, recently gave an interview to the Spanish newspaper El País. During the conversation, he tackled some pressing issues in Venezuelan politics, 100 days following Nicolás Maduro's capture.
When asked about the possibility of internal betrayal that might have led to the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3, Rodríguez was unequivocal.
"I'm certain there was no betrayal among the political and military leadership. In fact, then-Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was working with President Maduro until 11:20 pm on January 2," he stated.
The Chavista leader provided further evidence to support his stance: "On that same night at 11 pm, I spoke with President Maduro over the phone. As far as I know, Diosdado Cabello remained in constant contact with him during those hours, and if anything of the sort you are suggesting had happened, it would surely be known by now."
Rodríguez dismissed any notion of internal discord within Chavismo, asserting the movement's solidarity with a straightforward claim: "Chavismo is more united than ever. They used to say Maduro and Diosdado were at odds; now they're targeting the Rodríguez siblings."
This interview comes amidst growing opposition pressure: the opposition party Vente Venezuela, led by María Corina Machado, called for presidential elections last Friday, as the 90-day period stipulated by article 234 of the Constitution following the "absolute absence" of the ousted dictator had elapsed.
Regarding the potential for new elections, the National Assembly's president refrained from specifying dates, linking any electoral process to two key prerequisites: economic recovery and the establishment of trust in the electoral body.
"I can't precisely say when elections will happen or which election will come first because there's much work ahead. Additionally, we need to ensure that everyone can trust the electoral referee organizing these elections; that's crucial before the elections themselves can take place."
Insights on Venezuela's Political Situation
Was there any betrayal involved in Maduro's capture?
Jorge Rodríguez firmly denied any betrayal among the political and military ranks, asserting that no internal betrayal facilitated Maduro's arrest.
What conditions did Rodríguez set for future elections?
Rodríguez stated that future elections would depend on economic recovery and gaining confidence in the electoral overseer.
How did Rodríguez describe the state of Chavismo?
He claimed that Chavismo is more united than ever, countering rumors of internal divisions.