Rebuilding Venezuela Infrastructure Will Take 'A Lot of Time,' Says Farnsworth

Описание: Eric Farnsworth, a former State Department official, said given the damage that's been done to the Venezuelan economy over the past 26 years rebuilding the country and will take considerable time.


Venezuela’s National Assembly inaugurated Delcy Rodríguez as president on Monday, an overt signal that she’s won the regime’s blessing for her political takeover despite her conciliatory gestures to the US.
The biggest public endorsement came from Nicolás Maduro’s own son, who said he would “unconditionally support” her.
Nicolás Maduro Guerra’s comments mark his first public backing of Rodríguez, whom President Donald Trump has said would work with Washington to “make Venezuela great again.” Maduro Guerra spoke during the installation of Venezuela’s National Assembly in Caracas on Monday.
“To you, Delcy, my unconditional support. Count on me and my family,” Maduro Guerra said, after tearfully describing what he called difficult hours for his family. 
After initially describing Maduro’s capture by US forces as “barbaric,” Rodriguez struck a more conciliatory tone late on Sunday, asking the US to work with her country on a cooperation agenda. 

After initially describing Maduro’s capture by US forces as “barbaric,” Rodriguez struck a more conciliatory tone late on Sunday, asking the US to work with her country on a cooperation agenda. 
Jorge Rodríguez, Delcy’s brother, was reinstated as head of the assembly for a sixth consecutive annual term. He said she would be sworn in “later on Monday” after he was reinstated as head of the assembly for a sixth consecutive annual term. 
Her imminent installation comes just days after Maduro was seized by US forces and flown to New York, a move that plunged the oil-rich country into political uncertainty and intensified scrutiny of Washington’s intentions.
Maduro Guerra, 34, has served in the National Assembly since 2021 and was sworn in for a new legislative term on Monday. Often referred to as “Nicolasito,” he is Maduro’s only son and is frequently seen alongside him at political rallies and public events. The ruling party has promoted him as part of a younger generation of leaders where he has largely focused on religious affairs.

While the parliamentary session was under way, Maduro supporters took to the streets for a second consecutive day to protest his capture. The only absent lawmaker among the 285 elected last year was Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, whose empty seat and name were shown on state television.
Ruling party lawmakers appeared largely somber, though many flashed victory signs and raised clenched fists in a show of resistance. Longtime Maduro allies, including his right-hand man Juan Escalona, received visible gestures of support from colleagues.
Whither Delcy
Venezuela’s constitution — dating to 1999 at the dawn of the socialist era spearheaded by late presidential icon Hugo Chávez — offers different scenarios depending on how Venezuelan authorities classify Maduro’s removal from office.
In a ruling issued Sunday, the country’s rubber-stamp Supreme Tribunal of Justice indicated it is treating the episode as a temporary forced absence, a designation that preserves the existing government structure while starting a constitutional clock until elections are convened.
Under that framework, Rodríguez may exercise executive authority for up to 90 days, extending the interim period into April. The constitution allows for a single 90-day extension, which would push the deadline to July and force lawmakers to decide whether Maduro’s absence has become permanent.
If the National Assembly declares an absolute absence during the first year of Maduro’s current term, the national charter requires a new presidential election within 30 days, opening the door to a vote as early as August if lawmakers move quickly to formalize his removal.
Members of the new assembly were elected in an early vote in May 2025, amid widespread disappointment and fear among voters.



--------
Watch Bloomberg Radio LIVE on YouTube
Weekdays 7am-6pm ET
WATCH HERE: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF

Follow us on X:   / bloombergradio  

Subscribe to our Podcasts:

Bloomberg Daybreak: http://bit.ly/3DWYoAN
Bloomberg Surveillance: http://bit.ly/3OPtReI
Bloomberg Intelligence: http://bit.ly/3YrBfOi
Balance of Power: http://bit.ly/3OO8eLC
Bloomberg Businessweek: http://bit.ly/3IPl60i

Listen on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the Bloomberg Business app:
Apple CarPlay: https://apple.co/486mghI
Android Auto: https://bit.ly/49benZy

Visit our YouTube channels:
Bloomberg Podcasts:    / bloombergpodcasts  
Bloomberg Television:    / @markets  
Bloomberg Originals:    / bloomberg  
Quicktake:    / @bloombergquicktake