Since Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership in Venezuela in January following a U.S.-backed effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration has maintained strong support for her government. President Donald Trump has publicly praised Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, describing her as effective in managing the country. This support has intensified in the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes on June 24, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, which severely damaged several cities along Venezuela’s northern coast.
Despite Trump’s optimistic remarks about Venezuela’s recovery, the earthquakes have revealed significant weaknesses in both the Venezuelan government’s response and the broader U.S. policy toward the country. The disasters underscored the state’s limited capacity to provide timely and effective assistance to affected populations. Residents in the hardest-hit regions, including areas near the main airport and parts of Caracas, reported delays of several days before receiving substantial aid. Rodríguez’s first public visit to an earthquake site was met with hostility from survivors, while she attributed negative media portrayals to orchestrated misinformation campaigns.
The current U.S. approach, articulated in January by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, involves a phased plan focusing initially on stability, followed by economic recovery, and culminating in a political transition. However, the administration has yet to set a timeline for elections or support the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado to Venezuela. This strategy has drawn criticism for its apparent reluctance to directly address the country’s political crisis, which has intensified the challenges of economic rehabilitation.
Venezuela’s economy has contracted sharply over the past decade, shrinking by as much as 75% between 2013 and 2021. This decline has been driven by economic mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions imposed by the United States. Rodríguez and other members of the Chavista elite, associated with Maduro’s regime, preside over an economic landscape marked by instability and a lack of legal protections for investors. Attempts to attract foreign investment face obstacles due to ongoing concerns about contract enforcement and the risk of asset seizure, compounded by the looming threat of sanctions.
Trump’s primary objective appears to be creating favorable conditions for U.S. energy companies to operate profitably in Venezuela’s oil sector rather than advancing democratic reforms. Nevertheless, analysts suggest that meaningful economic recovery is unlikely without addressing the underlying political legitimacy issues. Free and fair elections, many argue, are essential not only for restoring governance but also for establishing the rule of law and investor confidence needed to revive Venezuela’s economy sustainably.