Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has said her government is not intimidated by the prospect of a diplomatic standoff with the United States, even after Washington removed former leader Nicolás Maduro in a military strike earlier this month.

Speaking on Thursday, Rodriguez acknowledged America’s global power but insisted that Venezuela would not be cowed. She said the country was prepared to engage the US through diplomacy and political dialogue, stressing that fear would not define her administration’s approach.

Rodriguez, who served as Maduro’s vice president and was one of his most outspoken allies, has since taken over as interim leader. Despite her political history, US President Donald Trump has signalled a willingness to work with her, provided her government aligns with Washington’s priorities, particularly regarding access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

With Maduro absent, Rodriguez delivered the state-of-the-nation address to lawmakers, drawing loud applause inside parliament. During her speech, she said she had urged the United States to treat Maduro with dignity, even as he faces drug trafficking charges in US courts.

She also revealed that she held a phone conversation with Trump on Wednesday, after which the US president publicly described her as “a terrific person.” Trump said the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including oil, minerals, trade and national security, adding that discussions were making “tremendous progress.”

Rodriguez now finds herself carefully balancing relations with Washington while trying not to alienate Maduro loyalists who still wield significant influence within Venezuela’s security forces and armed groups. She described her conversation with Trump as respectful and productive, marked by mutual courtesy.

On Thursday, she added pointedly that if she ever travels to Washington in her capacity as interim president, she would do so freely and with dignity — not forcibly — a clear reference to the dramatic arrest and removal of Maduro and his wife by US forces.

Meanwhile, Trump has largely kept his distance from Venezuela’s opposition, which many observers believe won the July 2024 presidential election. However, on Thursday he met with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, with the White House describing the talks as positive.