Delcy Rodríguez, who was declared Venezuela’s interim president following the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, has long been one of the most powerful and polarising figures in the country’s political landscape. Known for her uncompromising style, Rodríguez combines strict economic management with an active effort to engage the private sector, while also drawing public attention for her preference for high-end fashion and a carefully curated public image. 

Over more than a decade at the heart of government, the 56-year-old lawyer has steadily consolidated influence within the ruling establishment. Allies and critics alike refer to her as “the tsarina,” a nickname that reflects both her authority and her proximity to power. Maduro himself once described her as a “tigress,” praising her fierce defence of the socialist project during a period marked by economic collapse, allegations of torture and arbitrary detentions, and the departure of an estimated eight million Venezuelans.

Rodríguez has served as vice president since 2018, while simultaneously holding key economic portfolios. She first oversaw public finances as finance minister before taking charge of the strategic oil sector. Earlier in her career, she was communications minister, foreign minister, and president of a pro-government constituent assembly. Throughout these roles, she has worked in close coordination with her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who currently leads the National Assembly.

The siblings are the children of Jorge Antonio Rodríguez, a left-wing guerrilla figure and founder of the Socialist League Party. He was arrested in 1976 in connection with the kidnapping of an American businessman and later died in police custody, in circumstances his family has long described as torture. The late guerrilla leader has since been celebrated by the government as a symbol of the Venezuelan left.

Trained as a labour law specialist, Delcy Rodríguez spent nearly a decade in France and the United Kingdom pursuing postgraduate studies. Away from formal politics, she and her brother share a passion for table tennis, frequently posting photos of their matches on social media. In official appearances, she is often seen wearing luxury international brands, an image that contrasts sharply with the austerity faced by much of the population.

As vice president, Rodríguez became the chief architect of a policy shift after years of hyperinflation exacerbated by U.S. sanctions. She introduced a more orthodox economic approach, cutting public spending, tightening credit and stabilising the exchange rate through a de facto dollar-bolívar peg. These measures helped bring down inflation from triple-digit levels, though critics argue the social cost has been high.

In the energy sector, Rodríguez has overseen efforts to stabilise crude output, which averaged around 1.1 million barrels per day last year. Her position has placed her in direct contact with international firms, including Chevron, as Venezuela seeks to maintain production despite sanctions and infrastructure challenges.

Frequently described by business leaders as a tireless operator, Rodríguez has also sought to rebuild bridges with the private sector, attending forums and meetings that many officials previously avoided. Internationally, she is among the most travelled members of the Venezuelan government, making regular visits to key allies such as China, Russia and Turkey as Caracas looks eastward for economic and diplomatic support.

For supporters, Delcy Rodríguez represents discipline and resilience within a besieged government. For opponents, she embodies the concentration of power and contradictions of a system struggling to reconcile political control with economic survival.

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, delivers an official address in Caracas as she takes centre stage in guiding the country through a period of political transition and economic adjustment.