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Venezuela’s Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, a Maduro-regime loyalist and a familiar (and at times outspoken) figure in relations with Trinidad and Tobago, was elevated late Friday to Acting president, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces.

Her elevation was ordered by Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice, the country’s highest court, during a late-afternoon broadcast nationwide, Magistrate and president Tania D'Amelio, stating that the body had decided that Rodriguez will now assume all the powers, duties and faculties inherent to the office of the President.

By the Chamber’s decision, Rodriguez’s elevation is for the purpose of “guaranteeing administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation”.