Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez struck a defiant tone in Caracas this week, declaring her government is "not afraid" of a diplomatic clash with the United States despite acknowledging Washington's status as a "lethal nuclear power." Speaking on January 16, 2026, Rodriguez emphasized the need for national unity to protect Venezuela's sovereignty amid escalating tensions.
"On the diplomatic battlefield, we will defend our dignity and independence," Rodriguez stated, adding that if she were to visit Washington as acting president, she would go "standing, walking, not crawling." Her remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of cross-regional alliances and resource diplomacy in Latin America, a trend closely monitored by Asian investors and policymakers.
Analysts suggest Rodriguez's rhetoric reflects broader shifts in Global South strategies to counterbalance traditional powers through multilateral partnerships. For business professionals eyeing Asian-Latin American trade corridors, the statement underscores the geopolitical risks influencing commodity markets and infrastructure investments.
