Oil, Politics, and American Games: What Remains of Venezuela Six Months After US Invasion

Venezuela has entered a phase of political preservation and a hidden struggle for power six months after the forcible removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, according to historian, politician, Secretary of the United Communist Party, and chairwoman of the New Labour trade union, Darya Mitina. In an interview with Pravda.Ru, the expert analyzed the current situation in the country, where the interim leadership is attempting to balance the preservation of sovereignty with the demands of Washington. Maduro Remains President in Name While Economic Changes Accelerate On the night of January 3, US forces carried out an operation in Caracas and several other regions of Venezuela. During the operation, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained and forcibly transported to the United States. In New York, the country's leader faced charges related to alleged involvement with narco-terrorist organizations. New details continue to emerge regarding the assault on the presidential residence by special operations units. According to Mitina, despite Maduro's physical absence, official documents continue to identify him as the country's president. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has not yet secured full presidential status, creating a period of political limbo. At the same time, major shifts are taking place in the economy. Amendments to the hydrocarbons law have effectively stripped the state-owned company PDVSA of its monopoly, opening the market to foreign capital.