Spanish
The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, offered this Thursday the annual message to the Nation, a responsibility she assumed due to the kidnapping perpetrated by the U.S. against the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, deputy Cilia Flores, after a military invasion that included massive bombings that left more than 100 fatalities on January 3rd.
At the beginning of her speech, the high-ranking official asked the assembly members to give a minute of applause for all the young people "who died in combat against the invading aggressor." Then, Rodríguez remarked that one of her priorities is to free Maduro and Flores. "I want to bring the pain turned into combat and hope to bring them back and free them," she said.
The acting president pointed out that the 2025 report, written and presented this Thursday to the Legislative Power, was prepared by President Maduro, a document that she highlighted was completed up to six hours before his kidnapping by US troops. "I reviewed with him a plan that he himself named and said: 'it will be called Admirable Challenge, inspired by the Admirable Campaign of the Liberator' Simón Bolívar," Rodríguez commented.
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Meanwhile, Rodríguez pointed out that despite foreign aggressions, Venezuela has a sovereign plan for its development. In that sense, he remarked that the recent invasion of the country began with the naval blockade imposed by the U.S. This fence, the appointed leader pointed out, has sought to fence in Venezuela's opportunities as an energy exporting country and deny it its sovereignty to freely trade and negotiate with the world, the items of its energy industry. Rodríguez also reiterated that Venezuela has been attacked by a nuclear power, in an unprecedented event in the history of the South American country, a situation that cannot go unnoticed. In this regard, he pointed out that the U.S. applies its 'Monroe Doctrine' to try to expand through colonialism and imperialism, towards all corners of Latin America and the Caribbean. Defense of the oil industry Rodríguez also spoke about the importance of the nationalization of the oil industry, which was finally achieved thanks to the dignity of the president, Hugo Chávez, who managed to adjust the terms of the energy industry negotiations in favor of Venezuela. In that sense, he highlighted that President Maduro has been a staunch defender of the sovereignty of the Venezuelan oil industry and that it, under those same terms, defends these treaties and current laws, even despite the threats of "a lethal nuclear power". "All of Venezuela is threatened," emphasized the acting president, who said she is not afraid to confront and "face without fear" the U.S. through diplomatic channels. In that sense, she announced that if she has to go to Washington to work for the peace of Venezuelans, she will go with dignity and standing tall, not "dragged" like other "political classes" that try to usurp the political power of Venezuela. "We know they are a lethal nuclear power, we know, and we are not afraid to diplomatically confront them," Rodríguez pointed out, who urged the entire country, regardless of "political affiliation", to "go together as Venezuelans to defend independence, territorial integrity and our honor." "Enough of political classes that usurp what it is to be politicians to go and surrender to the orders of Washington." Rodríguez indicated that the current situation against Venezuela can be interpreted by some sectors as a "sign of weakness", however, he urged the most radical sectors not to be mistaken about this. Faced with this, he remarked that the military and "invading" aggression committed by the U.S. against his country has become "a stain", also "historical", which will regrettably remain in the record of relations between Washington and Caracas. Constitutional Act The Annual Message to the Nation in Venezuela is a constitutional act where the President appears before the National Assembly to provide details on government management, political, economic, and social affairs of the country, as well as new future objectives for the development of the population. On this occasion, Rodríguez's presentation is unprecedented and exceptional due to the forced absence of President Maduro. Therefore, in accordance with the constitutional mandate, the State institutions maintain the order of the country to guarantee administrative continuity and national sovereignty in the face of the unusual political situation. The political act, which is carried out in compliance with Article 237 of the Constitution and within the first 10 days of the installation of the National Assembly, is also accompanied by massive popular mobilizations that support Rodríguez and demand the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, whom they highlight as hostages of the US Government since January 3rd.
