So, for some, Trump suddenly became a credible, honest guy who tells the truth, doesn’t lie, and doesn’t manipulate facts to achieve his goals. The objective truth is that Trump is a convicted felon, prosecuted for crimes and accused of pedophilia, who lied in foreign policy when talking about Gaza, Ukraine, Venezuela (fentanyl, cocaine, immigrants released from prisons and mental hospitals, etc.), tariffs, and many other issues. Trump, the credible one.

But then why does Trump insist that Delcy must cooperate and “is cooperating”?

1.- Trump says this not to convince Venezuelans, but rather to convince Americans. He wants to project the image that he is in control of the situation and that there will be no “chaos the day after” he kidnaps the Venezuelan head of state.

2.- Trump wants to break the Chavista leadership in Caracas, and if he has to generate intrigue to do so, it is an effective and inexpensive method.

3.- He exerts pressure and intimidation, asserting that he will take control of the country. His card is force, and he is using it.

4.- At the same time that he indicated that Delcy was “collaborating,” he also threatened her with “a fate worse than Maduro’s” if she did not submit to his authority. The threat is unnecessary if Delcy was supposedly co-opted.

5.- Trump cannot maintain internal order in Venezuela unless he sends troops like he did in Iraq. He does not want to do that. Only Chavismo can guarantee internal order. And both sides agree on the need for that order. So Trump makes it seem that something Chavismo will do out of its own conviction is being done for him. He wants to appease the Americans who criticize him.

6.- Trump insists on a transition that must be carried out by the Chavismo leadership itself, but supervised by the US. This is the most vague part of his proposal, but to make it clearer, he dismissed María Corina Machado. However, he does not set deadlines, he talks about oil, oil infrastructure, etc., and then, if anything, elections. To do that, he must say that he controls Delcy, even if it is not true. Saying “I control” is the best way to cover up the bottom line: “he needs Chavismo in charge, Delcy,” to present his strategy as the winner the “day after” Maduro.

The other question: why does Delcy Rodríguez indicate that it is necessary to have relations of respect, mutual recognition, and cooperation after what has happened?

1.- Maduro, Venezuela, has been the country that has most defended the implementation of energy agreements with the US. Venezuela was the one that defended Chevron’s position in the face of Trump’s new sanctions. Why? Because putting US interests in Venezuela is a way of protecting its own oil industry from the same sanctions that come from one US government to another. To do this, it is necessary to establish relations.

2.- It is true that Maduro himself, even under the worst threats (such as those now hanging over Delcy), insisted on the importance of dialogue. That was public and well known.

3.- Delcy insists that Maduro is being held hostage and her first decision as acting president is to create a commission for his release. As in any kidnapping situation, you cannot burn your bridges with the kidnapper. You must negotiate. You must mediate.

4.- Trump is a megalomaniac narcissist. Delcy understands his psychology, especially now that she has the position of power and proven ability to execute it. She is also an excellent communicator and negotiator, capable of adapting to the context. Let’s try to understand not the form, but the substance.

5.- In his own way, Trump needs to build bridges. He kidnapped Maduro, but he has not achieved regime change. To a large extent, he depends on Chavismo in Caracas. In his own way, Trump prefers to say, “I’m in control,” rather than, “I have to negotiate.” Delcy must be in tune with that.