Venezuela: Allies shift to pragmatism under Delcy Rodríguez

Reports indicate a significant shift in Venezuela's international relations following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores by U.S. forces in early 2026. According to Transparencia Venezuela, long-time allies including Russia, China, and Iran have transitioned from condemning the event to adopting a pragmatic stance focused on protecting their own geopolitical and commercial interests under the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.

In Russia, the initial narrative of the Maduro extraction as a ‘kidnapping’ has cooled. President Vladimir Putin has made no public mention of Venezuela this year, and state media outlets like RT have shifted focus toward Rodríguez, portraying her as a ‘great negotiator’ in the context of energy reopening with Washington.

Additionally, research from the Spanish think tank Fundación Disenso alleges that Delcy Rodríguez utilized Venezuelan state funds to build a global network of political operators, consultants, and influence networks across Ibero-America and Europe. This structure was reportedly designed to secure international legitimacy and sustain political influence abroad while the country faced humanitarian crises.