> At a Glance
> – Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez funneled $500,000 from Citgo to Trump’s 2017 inauguration
> – The donation bought access to U.S. power circles after Maduro’s crackdown froze relations
> – Trump now demands “total access” to Venezuela’s oil reserves in exchange for supporting her transitional rule
> – Why it matters: A single campaign contribution reshaped Venezuela’s leadership and U.S. energy policy overnight
A 2017 inauguration donation has become the unlikely key to Venezuela’s future. When Delcy Rodríguez-then foreign minister-ordered Citgo to send $500,000 to Trump’s swearing-in, she secured a seat at the table that now positions her as interim president after Maduro’s capture.
The Bet That Paid Off
Rodríguez’s gamble was simple: trade half a million dollars for a shot at U.S. investment while Venezuela starved. The move flopped diplomatically-Trump pivoted to democracy restoration within weeks-but it catapulted her into American business networks.
Lee McClenny, former top U.S. diplomat in Caracas, explains:
> “She’s an ideologue, but a practical one. She knew Venezuela needed to resuscitate a moribund oil economy.”
Rise Through Chavismo’s Ranks
Rodríguez entered politics via her brother Jorge Rodríguez, who swore her in Monday. Their father’s 1976 death in custody-after being questioned over a kidnapped American-cemented their anti-U.S. stance.
Her career path:
- 2006: Kicked off Chávez’s presidential plane for botched scheduling
- 2013: Maduro revives her career post-Chávez
- 2018: Promoted to vice president, controls oil economy
- 2024: Jails rival Tareck El Aissami in corruption purge
Trump’s New Bargain
With Maduro gone, Trump now praises Rodríguez as “gracious” while threatening her with his predecessor’s fate unless she:
- Keeps Chavismo in check
- Grants U.S. “total access” to oil reserves
- Maintains stability without elections
Elliott Abrams, former Trump Venezuela envoy, notes:
> “No one is talking about elections. If they think Delcy is running things, they are completely wrong.”
Key Takeaways
- A $500,000 donation bought Rodríguez eight years of access that culminated in transitional power
- Trump now ties Venezuela’s recognition to oil concessions, not democratic elections
- Venezuela’s constitution mandates elections within 30 days-currently unmentioned by either side
- Rodríguez’s pragmatic image masks a “cutthroat operator” who tolerates zero dissent
The inauguration check that once seemed wasted now defines Venezuela’s future.
