Venezuelan Interim President Faces Crisis; Trump Defends Government, Saying "Except for the Earthquake, It's a Happy Country"

▲ Delcy Rodríguez, Interim President of Venezuela

Public criticism in Venezuela over the government's failure to respond to the earthquake is mounting, but the United States continues to support the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, the Financial Times reported.

The Financial Times analyzed that the powerful earthquake that struck last month has become a test for the interim government of Rodríguez, who took power after the Maduro regime collapsed following a U.S. military operation.

In reality, Venezuela continues to face a shortage of rescue equipment, forcing residents to dig through building debris with their bare hands.

Residents in the affected areas have reacted sharply, stating they have received no help from the government at all.

Interim President Rodríguez, who visited the rescue site, was met with angry jeers from survivors who shouted, "Get out."

However, the Trump administration is focusing on shielding the Rodríguez interim government by sending rescue equipment and relief supplies to Venezuela while publicly praising the government's rescue efforts.

Last week, President Trump said, "Except for the earthquake, Venezuela has become a happy country again, and people are dancing in the streets."

John Barrett, the acting U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, also defended the current administration in a media interview, stating that the U.S. has "great confidence" in the government for showing "complete transparency."

On the other hand, the U.S. is looking unfavorably upon opposition leader María Corina Machado, blocking her return to Venezuela.

It appears the Trump administration believes that the survival of the Rodríguez interim government serves U.S. interests better than the alternative of Machado.

The Financial Times analyzed that this earthquake could act as a catalyst to change Venezuela's political future.

The angered public sentiment could be directed toward the Rodríguez interim government, increasing pressure for early elections.

In a poll conducted by Bloomberg and the polling firm AtlasIntel after the earthquake, negative assessments of the Rodríguez interim government reached 63.3%.

However, the Financial Times pointed out that the Rodríguez interim government could use the earthquake response as an excuse to continue delaying political transition, and the U.S. may support this approach.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

※