Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Delcy Rodríguez

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Delcy Rodríguez made an impact.

Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is a Venezuelan lawyer, diplomat, and politician currently serving as the acting president of Venezuela since January 3, 2026, following Nicolás Maduro's removal. Previously, she was the vice president of Venezuela from 2018 to 2026. Over the years, she has held several key positions under both Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, including Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the Constituent Assembly, head of SEBIN, and Minister of Petroleum. Her career reflects a significant involvement in Venezuelan politics and governance.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2002: Rodríguez Becomes Involved in National Politics

In 2002, Delcy Rodríguez became involved in national politics during the Venezuelan coup attempt and took over the Venezuelan Embassy in London.

2003: Rodríguez Joins the General Coordination of the Vice Presidency

In 2003, Delcy Rodríguez commenced her governmental career, joining the General Coordination of the Vice Presidency of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

2005: Rodríguez Appointed Vice-minister for European Affairs

In 2005, Rodríguez was appointed as the Vice-minister for European Affairs.

August 2006: Rodríguez's Tenure as Minister for Presidential Affairs Ends

In August 2006, Delcy Rodríguez's tenure as Minister for Presidential Affairs ended due to reported tensions with President Hugo Chávez.

2007: Rodríguez Serves as General Coordinator to the Vice-President of Venezuela

In 2007, Delcy Rodríguez served as the General Coordinator to the Vice-President of Venezuela, a role she held while her brother occupied the office of Vice President.

August 2013: Rodríguez Appointed Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information

In August 2013, President Nicolás Maduro appointed Delcy Rodríguez as the Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information of Venezuela.

2013: Delcy Rodríguez Appointed Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information

In 2013, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as the Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information of Venezuela, a position she held until 2014.

October 2014: Rodríguez Reaffirmed and Maintains Position as Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information

In October 2014, Delcy Rodríguez was reaffirmed and maintained in her position as the Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information of Venezuela.

December 2014: Rodríguez Appointed Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Relations

In December 2014, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as the Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Relations, becoming the first woman to hold this position in Venezuela's history.

2014: Delcy Rodríguez Appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs

In 2014, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, a role she held until 2017.

December 2015: Rodríguez Involved in Dispute at Mercosur Summit

In December 2015, Delcy Rodríguez attended the 49th Summit of Mercosur heads of state and was involved in a dispute with the president of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, over political prisoners in Venezuela.

March 2016: Rodríguez Denounces OAS Report

In March 2016, Delcy Rodríguez denounced a report published by Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), characterizing it as an intervention strategy.

June 2017: Rodríguez Vacates Role as Chancellor to Stand in National Constituent Assembly Elections

In June 2017, Delcy Rodríguez vacated her role as Chancellor to stand as a candidate in the National Constituent Assembly elections. Before leaving her position, she was honored with the Saber Order of the Liberator Simón Bolívar of the Battle of Carabobo.

July 2017: Rodríguez Elected to National Constituent Assembly

In July 2017, Delcy Rodríguez was elected as a deputy for Caracas to the National Constituent Assembly (ANC).

August 2017: Rodríguez Chosen as President of the National Constituent Assembly

In August 2017, Delcy Rodríguez was chosen as the president of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC).

2017: Delcy Rodríguez Appointed President of the Constituent Assembly of Venezuela

In 2017, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as the President of the Constituent Assembly of Venezuela, a position she held until 2018.

January 2018: Rodríguez Announced as President of Somos Venezuela Movement

In January 2018, President Maduro announced Delcy Rodríguez as the president of the Somos Venezuela Movement (MSV).

February 2018: Rodríguez Resigns from PSUV, Joins MSV

In February 2018, Delcy Rodríguez resigned from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and joined the Somos Venezuela Movement (MSV).

June 2018: Rodríguez Appointed Vice President of Venezuela

On June 14, 2018, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as the Vice President of Venezuela and head official of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN).

October 2018: Rodríguez Re-enters PSUV

In October 2018, Delcy Rodríguez re-entered the PSUV as a member.

December 2018: Rodríguez Welcomes President of Turkey

In December 2018, Delcy Rodríguez welcomed the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during his official visit to Venezuela.

2018: Delcy Rodríguez Becomes Vice President of Venezuela

In 2018, Delcy Rodríguez became the vice president of Venezuela, holding the position until 2026.

2019: Release of political prisoners

On 8 January 2019, Delcy Rodriguez's government released nine foreign and Venezuelan political prisoners. Following this, Donald Trump cancelled a second wave of attacks as a gesture of cooperation. Discussions began between the United States and the Rodríguez government to potentially restart diplomatic relations and reopen the U.S. embassy in Venezuela, which had been closed since 2019.

September 2020: Rodríguez Appointed Minister of Economy and Finance

In September 2020, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as the Minister of Economy and Finance.

July 2021: Rodríguez Participates in Fedecámaras Assembly

In July 2021, Delcy Rodríguez participated in the Annual Assembly of Fedecámaras, marking the first instance in two decades that a high-ranking official from the national executive attended this event.

August 2024: Rodríguez's Tenure as Minister of Economy and Finance Ends

In August 2024, Delcy Rodríguez's tenure as the Minister of Economy and Finance ended.

2024: Delcy Rodríguez appointed Minister of Petroleum

In 2024, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as the Minister of Petroleum.

2025: Talks with the United States government

In 2025, Delcy Rodríguez's brother Jorge Rodríguez, held talks with the United States government about the possibility of his sister leading a post-Maduro transitional government, with Maduro potentially going into exile.

January 2026: Delcy Rodríguez Becomes Acting President of Venezuela

In January 2026, Delcy Rodríguez became the acting president of Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro was captured by the United States.

January 2026: Delcy Rodríguez Ordered to Assume Presidential Powers

On 3 January 2026, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice ordered Delcy Rodríguez to assume presidential powers as acting president. On 5 January 2026, the European Union announced that it does not recognize Rodríguez's legitimacy as acting head of government.

January 2026: Rodríguez sworn in as acting president

On 5 January 2026, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president by her brother, Jorge Rodríguez. Following this, she announced a week of national mourning for those killed during an American strike.

January 2026: Maduro Abducted, Rodríguez Becomes Acting President

On January 3, 2026, Nicolás Maduro was abducted by the United States, leading to Delcy Rodríguez becoming the acting president of Venezuela. She affirmed Maduro as Venezuela's only president and was ordered by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice to assume the acting presidency, making her the first woman to hold the position.

January 2026: Rodríguez Granted Presidential Powers

On January 3, 2026, after the United States detained President Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was granted presidential powers under Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution. She demanded proof that Maduro was alive and was contacted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after which she was "sworn in" as president.

February 2026: Potential Lifting of Sanctions

In February 2026, Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, stated that she had accepted Spain's request and would propose lifting sanctions against Delcy Rodríguez, who was serving as the interim leader of Venezuela.