Venezuela's Acting President Slams US Interference: "Enough of Washington's Orders"

Speaking to oil workers in the coastal city of Puerto La Cruz, Rodriguez said Venezuelan politics should be resolved internally, without foreign interference. "Enough already of Washington's orders over politicians in Venezuela," she said at the event, broadcast on state-run Venezolana de Television. "Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and our internal conflicts."

Rodriguez has been navigating a "delicate balance" since being backed by the US following the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this month. While seeking to retain the support of Maduro loyalists at home, she has also faced pressure from Washington, including demands to restart oil production and align closely with US interests, CNN reported.

The White House has maintained sustained pressure on Venezuela since Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained in a US-led raid in early January and taken to the United States, where the former president faces charges. Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro's deputy, has repeatedly insisted that the US does not govern Venezuela, though she has avoided direct confrontation.

On Monday, Rodriguez struck a conciliatory tone while emphasising sovereignty. "We are not afraid. Nor are we afraid of maintaining respectful relations with the United States, but they must be based on respect - respect for international law, basic human respect in interpersonal relations, and respect for the dignity and history of Venezuela," she said at a public event.

US President Donald Trump had initially claimed the US would "run" Venezuela following Maduro's capture, but later endorsed Rodriguez as interim leader. Earlier this month, Trump said he spoke with Rodriguez by phone, describing her as a "terrific person" and adding that the US was "getting along very well with Venezuela," CNN reported.

Washington is now seeking to establish a stable authority in Caracas after years of confrontation with the oil-rich South American nation. Internally, Venezuela remains deeply divided among Maduro loyalists, left-wing factions critical of his leadership, and so-called "Chavistas No-Maduristas"-supporters of late president Hugo Chavez who accuse Maduro of betraying socialist ideals.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's opposition continues to assess its role in the evolving political landscape. Trump last week said he would like opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to be "involved" in Venezuela's leadership. Machado reportedly met Trump at the White House earlier this month.

Following US strikes on Caracas in early January, the Trump administration outlined several conditions for cooperation, including cutting ties with China, Iran, Russia and Cuba, and partnering exclusively with US companies for oil production, two senior White House officials told CNN.

Oil remains Venezuela's main economic driver. The country holds the world's largest reserves of extra-heavy crude, which is compatible with US refineries despite requiring complex processing.

The US has also called for the release of political prisoners. On Sunday, at least 104 detainees were freed, according to the rights group Foro Penal, the highest daily release figure since the government announced earlier this month that it would free a "significant number" of prisoners as a 'goodwill gesture'.

Foro Penal said total releases since January 8 have reached atleast 266. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, however, claimed on Monday that 808 people have been released since December, as part of a process ordered by Maduro "for coexistence and peace".

Cabello and Rodriguez said Venezuela is open to a visit by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk to verify the releases, though an official list has yet to be published despite calls from activists and opposition figures.

Trump on Monday thanked Venezuela's leadership for the prisoner releases, calling them a "powerful humanitarian gesture", and said the pace of releases would increase in the coming weeks, CNN reported.

- ANI