Delcy Rodríguez has formally been sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president.
The oath of office was administered Monday afternoon by her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.
Meanwhile, a defiant Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores entered not guilty pleas in their first court appearance in New York after being captured in a US military operation.
The ousted leader, who faces drugs and weapons charges, told the judge he’s “still the president of Venezuela.”
The couple is not seeking bail for now.
President Donald Trump said the US, which has not recognized Maduro as the country’s legitimate leader, is “in charge,” as acting president Delcy Rodríguez called for “cooperation” with the US.
Trump previously said he’s counting on American companies to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry.
Meanwhile, Venezuelans are hunkering down amid apprehension of what may come next.
Trump implied he could take military action in Colombia, told Mexico to get its “act together” on drugs, and said the US “needs Greenland.”
[Source: CNN]
