Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Venezuelan Politics

Delcy Rodríguez

Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is a Venezuelan lawyer, diplomat, and politician.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Delcy Rodríguez is a Venezuelan lawyer and politician who became acting president in January 2026. She has held senior government roles and is sanctioned by Canada.

Who is Delcy Rodríguez?

Born in Caracas in 1969, Rodríguez studied law and entered politics as a member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). She served as vice president from 2018 to 2026 and held multiple cabinet posts, including foreign affairs. Her father, Jorge Antonio Rodríguez, was a leftist activist.

Acting presidency in 2026

According to provided sources, Rodríguez assumed the role of acting or interim president in January 2026 after Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces. The exact timing and title vary across reports, but she is described as Venezuela’s top leader during the transition.

Sanctions and Canada’s role

Rodríguez has been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, and Canada. The sanctions are linked to alleged human-rights abuses and democratic backsliding. For Canadian readers, this is the main point of connection: Canada lists her among senior Venezuelan officials facing restrictions.

In short

  • Delcy Rodríguez became acting president of Venezuela in January 2026.
  • She has been a top figure in the Maduro government and PSUV.
  • Canada is among the countries that have sanctioned her.
  • Her father was a leftist activist and politician.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may know Rodríguez mainly because Canada is listed among the countries that have sanctioned her.

Quick questions

Who is Delcy Rodríguez?
Delcy Rodríguez is a Venezuelan lawyer, diplomat, and politician who has held senior government posts, including vice president and acting or interim president in 2026.
What happened to Delcy Rodríguez?
She became Venezuela’s acting or interim president in January 2026 after Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces.
Is Delcy Rodríguez under sanctions?
Yes. The provided sources say she has been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, and Canada.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delcy_Rodr%C3%ADguez
    Supports: Birth date and place; Venezuelan politician and lawyer; acting president claim in 2026.
  2. Deutsche Welle — https://www.dw.com/es/qui%C3%A9n-es-delcy-rodr%C3%ADguez-la-tigresa-presidenta-interina-de-venezuela/a-75400891
    Supports: Age; interim president description; influence in Venezuela.
  3. Wikipedia (English) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delcy_Rodr%C3%ADguez
    Supports: Birth date; vice president role; acting president claim; PSUV membership.
  4. BBC Mundo — https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/cd9enk3lwepo
    Supports: Biography; senior government roles; sanctions by the EU and United States.
  5. The New York Times (Spanish) — https://www.nytimes.com/es/2026/01/03/espanol/america-latina/delcy-rodriguez-quien-es.html
    Supports: Profile; sanctions by the United States, Canada, and the European Union.
  6. CIDOB — https://www.cidob.org/lider-politico/delcy-rodriguez-gomez
    Supports: Sanctions; senior roles; biographical details; government responsibilities.