Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar delivered a sharp warning on Tuesday to Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, accusing her of attempting to deceive former President Donald Trump "in the same manner she and Maduro deceived and destroyed Venezuela."
The statement, shared on X late Tuesday, followed Rodríguez's address to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. She led the Venezuelan delegation in hearings concerning the Essequibo region, held from May 4th to May 12th.
"President Trump is fully aware of who she is: another member of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves," Salazar asserted. "Negotiations aren't made through secret letters while attempting to seize territory from a free and sovereign nation like Guyana."
Guyana's Economic Success vs. Chavismo's Failures
The Florida representative reiterated a phrase she had used in March to describe the Chavista regime, identifying Rodríguez as "thief number 37" and warning that she would end up in jail if she did not adhere to Trump's directives.
In her statement, Salazar highlighted the stark contrast between the economic model of Guyana and that of the Chavista regime: "Unlike Maduro's regime, Guyana has not robbed its people. They managed their oil wealth responsibly, established a sovereign wealth fund, and saw their GDP per capita quadruple in just five years."
This claim is supported by tangible data: Guyana's GDP per capita increased from approximately $6,600 in 2019 to about $29,675 in 2024, driven by oil fields discovered by ExxonMobil in the Stabroek block in 2015, managed through the Natural Resources Fund established by law in 2019.
Rodríguez's Defiant Stance and Political Context
Rodríguez, meanwhile, argued in The Hague that "Venezuela will not give up its history nor legitimate rights, recognized and preserved in the Geneva Agreement, simply because Guyana now seeks unilaterally and opportunistically to redefine the controversy." Her trip to the Netherlands marked her first venture outside the Caribbean since assuming power following Nicolás Maduro's capture on January 3rd during Operation Absolute Resolution.
The political climate further complicates Rodríguez's position: although the United States lifted sanctions against her in early April as part of a tacit agreement with her interim government, tensions remain high. Rodríguez dismissed from The Hague Trump's proposal to transform Venezuela into the "51st state" and reaffirmed Venezuela's claim over the Essequibo, a 160,000 km² region rich in oil and minerals whose dispute has remained unresolved for decades.
Salazar concluded her warning with a straightforward remark: "Delcy should stop threatening Guyana and start learning from it."
Key Concerns About Venezuela and Guyana
What is the essence of Salazar's warning to Rodríguez?
Salazar's warning emphasizes that Delcy Rodríguez should not attempt to deceive the U.S., as she did with Venezuela, and warns against her actions towards Guyana.
How does Guyana's economic model differ from Venezuela's?
Guyana has managed its oil wealth responsibly, establishing a sovereign wealth fund, which contrasts with Venezuela's mismanagement under the Chavista regime.
What is the significance of the Essequibo region?
The Essequibo region is a contested area rich in oil and minerals, with long-standing territorial disputes between Venezuela and Guyana.