U.S. arbitrary measures hinder the Bolivarian nation’s development. During an interview with U.S. broadcaster NBC News in Caracas, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez stated that her country needs to be free of sanctions in order to hold elections and develop its energy potential.

“Holding free and fair elections in Venezuela also means having a free country where justice can be exercised. A country free of sanctions,” she said, emphasizing how U.S. sanctions hinder the growth of the Bolivarian nation as an energy power and as a sovereign people.

Her remarks come amid what Venezuelan authorities describe as the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro, who has been held illegally by the U.S. in a maximum-security prison in New York since Jan. 3, 2025.

Rodriguez’s statements echo those of Maduro, who since 2020 has repeatedly said Venezuela seeks “elections free of sanctions, of blockades, of aggression” and of “economic war.”

In November 2022, during a press conference with international media, President Maduro announced that the Bolivarian government would resume comprehensive dialogue with all sectors of the opposition to ensure elections are held in a scenario free of sanctions.

During that appearance, the Venezuelan president underscored that electoral transparency and justice depend directly on compliance with political agreements and the end of what he described as economic siege against the nation.

In July 2023, Maduro again emphasized that Venezuela wants “elections free of sanctions, of blockades, of aggression, and of economic war.” He once more demanded that the U.S. government lift all such measures “without any conditions.”

“We want elections free of sanctions, of blockades, of aggression, of economic war. Lift all the so-called sanctions. The North American empire must lift all sanctions, without any conditions whatsoever, and we will move forward,” President Maduro said.

With what she described as a firm commitment to defending Venezuela’s independence, Rodriguez reiterated that the path toward political normalization requires the total elimination of what she called “so-called sanctions,” allowing the exercise of suffrage to be a sovereign expression of the people’s will in defense of justice and national dignity.

Nicolas Maduro Is the Legitimate President of Venezuela

Asked about leadership in the country, Rodriguez stressed that Maduro remains the legitimate president and that she is serving as acting president with daily and rigorous effort.

She reaffirmed her legitimacy at the head of the executive branch, explaining that she assumed leadership following constitutional order after the kidnapping of President Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores.

The Venezuelan acting president pointed out that her country’s institutional stability has allowed progress in high-level meetings, such as a recent meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to evaluate projects of mutual benefit.

An Invitation to Visit the United States

On Wednesday, Rodriguez met with Wright to evaluate an energy agenda beneficial to both nations within the framework of historic bilateral relations.

The acting president stressed that, through peace diplomacy, both countries can overcome their differences. She also mentioned receiving an invitation to travel to the United States, a possibility currently under consideration.

“We are considering going there once we establish this cooperation and can move forward with everything,” Rodriguez said, leaving the door open to future rapprochement.

Jan. 3, 2026, is already considered a key date in contemporary Latin American history. On that day, the U.S. government attacked a sovereign nation, kidnapped President Maduro and lawmaker Flores, leaving hundreds dead and widespread destruction.

Venezuelan society is still processing the U.S. aggression. Citizens are seeking explanations for the uncertainties affecting the political and economic landscape: what is the relationship between the two spheres, and which of them — or both — account for circumstances shaking daily life.

In recent days, amid the situation, Acting president Rodriguez reiterated that peaceful coexistence is the path toward the country’s economic and social peace. She underscored the importance of full public participation in all national initiatives.

She said the goal for 2026 is to consolidate grassroots power and indicated that authorities will seek to support communities in organizing so that economic growth translates into social well-being for workers. She reiterated that Venezuela is advancing in national cohesion and rebuilding bridges with other countries through working agendas aimed at benefiting the people.