Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of Venezuela’s interim president in January 2026 following a U.S. military operation that removed Nicolás Maduro, with the Supreme Tribunal of Justice invoking constitutional succession rules and the military providing immediate backing. She has since consolidated authority through tactical cooperation with Washington, including the lifting of U.S. sanctions in April, renewed oil sector engagement, and a gradual distancing from Maduro-era symbols while preserving core Chavista structures. Opposition groups have pressed for prompt elections after her initial emergency mandate expired, citing the need for a full political transition, yet officials have prioritized economic stabilization and institutional continuity. Military loyalty, U.S. diplomatic and sanctions leverage, and the absence of scheduled votes or major challenges through mid-2026 remain the dominant factors shaping the current leadership outlook.