The president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, was appointed as commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces. This was announced at a ceremony at the Military Academy in the presence of about 3,200 servicemen. Minister of the Interior Diosdado Cabello and Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López, on behalf of the security bodies and the Bolivarian National Army (FANB), expressed 'absolute' loyalty to Rodríguez. Thus, she became the first woman in the country's history to hold this position. This occurred more than three weeks after a US military operation in which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured. In his speech, Cabello stated that the police forces respond with 'unity' to the 'darkness' that, he said, those who 'violated' Venezuela's sovereignty are trying to impose. Padrino López, in turn, swore 'absolute loyalty and subordination' to Rodríguez. The president, dressed in red (the color of chavism), received symbolic attributes of power, such as the 'command baton' and a replica of Simón Bolívar's sword. Delcy Rodríguez stated that this is a 'symbolic' act and made the FANB swear 'before God' to defend the homeland, its constitution, laws, and institutions, 'if necessary, until the last breath.' She expressed her willingness to dialogue with the 'extremism' in the country (as she calls the opposition), but added that she will not tolerate 'another aggression,' similar to the one that occurred on January 3, when the US attacked Caracas and neighboring states. In this context, she announced the creation of a cybersecurity and defense office to be headed by Minister of Science and Technology Gabriela Jiménez, and set a 100-day deadline for developing the 'guidelines' for the new 'defense system.' Hours earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Trump administration has no intention of launching a new attack on Venezuela, but did not rule out any options if Rodríguez does not cooperate with Washington. Rubio also stated that the Trump administration's goal is a 'democratic Venezuela,' but warned that the transition will take time. He opened the door for opposition leader María Corina Machado to participate in the process, who met with him on this day. Machado, visiting Washington after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, called for a 'real transition' in Venezuela and stated that no 'sector of the regime' should remain in power. She also stated that 'hours and days are decisive' for her country's future and that her movement is backed by the head of US diplomacy.
