Six months after the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s political landscape has transformed significantly, presenting a new opportunity for the United States to regain influence in Latin America. Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, now serves as the acting president and is viewed as a more amenable figure for Washington. This shift marks an evolving dynamic under the “Donroe Doctrine,” which aims to re-establish U.S. dominance in the region.
Strategic Adjustments in Venezuela
Rodriguez’s primary challenge lies in balancing the demands of Washington with her responsibilities at home. To this end, her administration is redefining a movement once deeply entrenched in the socialist ideologies associated with Hugo Chavez and Maduro. The approach is becoming more pragmatic and transactional, signalling a pivot toward an alignment with Trump-era policies in Latin America.
This change is particularly evident in Rodriguez’s dealings with Israel. Historically, Venezuelan administrations have viewed Israel as a “genocidal” state, condemning its actions and severing diplomatic relations in 2009. However, under Rodriguez’s leadership, there has been a marked shift toward fostering relations with Israel, once seen as a regional adversary.
From enmity to diplomacy
Unlike her predecessors, Rodriguez appears intent on mending ties with Israel. Although she initially criticized U.S. military intervention in Venezuela as having “Zionist overtones,” recent statements and actions suggest a reorientation. In February, her government refrained from condemning U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. Instead, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs advocated for dialogue, subtly signaling a break from its previous unwavering support for Tehran.
April marked a milestone when Rodriguez reached out to Venezuela’s Jewish community, celebrating Passover and emphasizing peace and mutual respect. This was widely interpreted as a clear message of her intentions to approach Israel with a spirit of reconciliation, significantly distancing her administration from the anti-Semitic rhetoric of the past.
The devastating earthquakes that occurred in June provided additional opportunities for Rodriguez to strengthen ties with Israel. For the first time in 17 years, Venezuela publicly thanked Israel for its disaster response assistance, leading to unprecedented high-level exchanges between the two countries.
A calculated strategy for survival
These moves form part of a broader strategy by Rodriguez to consolidate power amid multiple pressures. To gain stability, she is aligning closely with U.S. foreign policy and courting support from Trump’s allies in the region, such as Argentine President Javier Milei and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. These overtures include opening Venezuelan markets to U.S. interests and accepting assistance for disaster relief efforts.
A crucial aspect of this strategy is distancing the current government from long-time adversaries of Washington like Iran and Hezbollah. Rodriguez’s administration has faced accusations of links to these groups, and in response, steps have been taken to extradite individuals alleged to be connected to Hezbollah.
Rodriguez also faces a formidable challenge from Maria Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure building alliances with Israel. By positioning herself favorably toward Israel, Rodriguez aims to undermine Machado, who could otherwise draw crucial international support.
In summation, Rodriguez’s diplomatic overtures toward Israel represent a calculated approach designed to bolster her governance while diminishing the influence of her political rival. Her policies reflect an inclination toward survival rather than ideological conviction, casting doubt on the durability of this new alliance. Whether these shifts can endure amidst decades of antagonistic rhetoric remains to be seen, but they underscore a significant evolution in Venezuelan politics.