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| President Donald Trump and Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez |
Caracas, Venezuela — In a swift pivot from fiery rhetoric to diplomatic maneuvering, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has called for "respectful international relations" with the United States. This sudden shift in tone comes just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a harrowing ultimatum, threatening a “second strike” against the nation’s leadership.
Ms. Rodríguez, who previously accused the U.S. of "kidnapping" Nicolás Maduro, appears to be attempting to de-escalate a rapidly deteriorating situation. Breaking from her initial scathing remarks, she issued a statement on Monday morning inviting Washington to the negotiating table.
“We invite the U.S. government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law,” Rodríguez stated. She emphasized that the region deserves "peace and dialogue, not war," claiming this has been the consistent message of the Venezuelan administration.
The diplomatic overture follows a Sunday interview with The Atlantic, in which President Trump significantly sharpened his stance on the Caracas leadership. Trump warned that Rodríguez would face a fate worse than that of her predecessor if she failed to align with American interests.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump told reporters, referring to the potential for a "second strike."
The President’s comments have sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community, signaling that the White House is prepared to move beyond economic sanctions toward more direct intervention if their demands are not met.
The Venezuelan acting president’s plea for relations "devoid of external threats" marks a critical juncture in the standoff. While Rodríguez frames the request as a call for "shared development," critics argue it is a calculated survival tactic in the face of imminent U.S. military or intelligence pressure.
As of Monday afternoon, the White House has not officially responded to Rodríguez's invitation for collaboration. The international community remains on high alert, watching to see if this diplomatic olive branch will be accepted or if the "second strike" remains on the table.