Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodriguez, on Sunday, announced the creation of a high-powered commission to negotiate the release of ousted former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following their capture by United States forces in Caracas.
The development comes less than 48 hours after Maduro’s arrest and transfer to New York, where he is expected to face terrorism and drug trafficking charges before a U.S. court on Monday.
Rodriguez named National Assembly President, Jorge Rodriguez, and Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, as co-chairs of the commission, while Information Minister, Freddy Nanez, was also appointed a member.
The interim leader, in a separate Telegram post, called for a renewed diplomatic approach with the U.S., stressing the need for mutual respect and collaboration.
“We consider it a priority to move toward a balanced and respectful relationship between the US and Venezuela,” she said, adding that both nations should work on a “joint agenda for cooperation.”
The Venezuelan military has formally recognised Rodriguez as interim president, backing a Supreme Court ruling that appointed her to serve for an initial 90-day transitional period.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, while addressing the nation, urged calm and a return to normalcy across the country.
“The homeland must follow its constitutional course,” he said, calling on citizens to resume regular economic, work, and educational activities.
However, the minister denounced the U.S. operation that led to Maduro’s arrest, describing it as a “cowardly kidnapping.” He alleged that members of Maduro’s security detail, along with some military personnel and civilians, were killed during the incursion.
As of Sunday, large swathes of Caracas remained quiet, with shuttered businesses and minimal activity reported in public markets and pharmacies. The tense calm followed days of political upheaval and uncertainty in the wake of the sudden U.S.-led intervention.