Venezuelans Protest Delcy Rodríguez at UN Over Regime Allegiances
Venezuelans protest Delcy Rodríguez’s UN presence, demanding free elections and rejecting socialist governance.
2 min read
Venezuelans, Venezuelan-Americans, and anti-socialist supporters gathered at the United Nations’ Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza on Tuesday to protest the presence of Delcy Rodríguez, the current ‘interim president’ of Venezuela, at the General Assembly. The crowd waved Venezuelan flags and held up protest signs against Rodríguez and what remains of the Maduro regime, emphasizing that she does not represent the Venezuelan people.
Protesters Reject Regime’s Legitimacy
The demonstrators expressed concerns about an agreement Rodríguez arranged with the Trump administration to share in the development of Venezuela’s oil resources, suggesting the regime would eventually break any promises made to Washington. Rodríguez arrived in New York in her capacity as ‘interim president’ to attend the General Assembly’s ‘general debate,’ an annual event where heads of state deliver speeches.
Maduro’s Absence and Legal Troubles
Maduro, who is currently in Brooklyn awaiting trial on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, skipped the past several iterations of the General Assembly. The remaining Maduro administration, under Rodríguez, has been cooperating with the Trump administration, making sporadic announcements of the release of political prisoners and expanding resource cooperation.
Protesters Demand Free Elections
The Venezuelans in New York objected to the United Nations welcoming Rodríguez as a representative of the Venezuelan people, insisting that the country deserves free and fair elections to choose a legitimate leader, especially after Maduro clung to power through several sham elections.
Public Outcry Over Oil Deal
Protesters expressed concerns that the oil deal between the U.S. and Venezuela, while potentially lucrative, is in the wrong hands. One protester stated that anything signed by Rodríguez is not legal as she is not a legitimate head of state. The protests underscored the deepening divide over the legitimacy of the Maduro regime and its continued influence despite its legal and political challenges.
