By Trendsetter Tribune 
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez has delivered a blunt message to Washington, saying the country has had “enough” of taking orders from the Trump administration following weeks of mounting U.S. pressure.
Speaking to oil workers in Puerto La Cruz, Rodríguez said Venezuela must resolve its political disputes internally, without foreign interference. Her comments come shortly after former president Nicolás Maduro was captured in a dramatic U.S.-led operation that plunged the country into uncertainty and sparked international backlash.
After the raid, President Donald Trump claimed the United States would effectively “run” Venezuela, before later signaling support for Rodríguez as an interim leader. Despite that backing, Washington has continued to push for policy changes—particularly opening Venezuela’s oil sector to greater U.S. investment.
Rodríguez acknowledged that talks with the U.S. would continue but stressed they must happen “face to face” and on equal footing. She also called for dialogue with Venezuela’s political opposition, arguing that peace and stability should outweigh partisan divisions.
Behind the scenes, the pressure is already reshaping policy debates in Caracas. Lawmakers are now discussing reforms that would loosen state control over the oil industry, a significant shift from the nationalist policies introduced under Hugo Chávez. Supporters see the move as a way to revive the economy, while critics fear it signals capitulation to U.S. demands.
For now, Rodríguez is attempting a delicate balancing act: asserting Venezuelan sovereignty while navigating intense external pressure at a moment when the country’s political future remains deeply uncertain.