Venezuela: Delcy Rodríguez and Bolivarian Post-Populism

Abstract

On January 3, 2026, after U.S. military forces carried out a coordinated operation against Venezuelan military installations, ports, airfields, and command centers, capturing Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, Venezuela appeared to be heading toward an unpredictable escalation. In the preceding months, Maduro had repeatedly warned that any military intervention would turn Venezuela into a “second Vietnam”, promising prolonged resistance against any foreign aggression. In this context of maximum tension, the person expected to assume control o the government in his absence delivered a startling message.