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Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has offered to work with the US government, dialing back from the defiant rhetoric she first adopted after the capture of former dictator Nicolás Maduro.

An Announcement of Collaboration

In a message issued Sunday night, Rodríguez declared she had "extended an invitation to the US government to work together on an framework of joint work."

Her remarks followed just hours after former President Donald Trump threatened that Rodríguez could "pay a very big price, probably more severe than Maduro" if she did not bend to his wishes.

Transition of Power in Venezuela

Rodríguez has assumed de facto control of Venezuela since Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained over the weekend. The pair were taken to New York and are scheduled for an appearance at a U.S. court in Manhattan.

She was formally inaugurated as president by the supreme court on Saturday. The next day, the country's armed forces pledged to acknowledge her authority, while still demanding the prompt liberation of Maduro and his wife.

The Former President's Comments and Strategy

Following the surprising apprehension of Maduro, Trump claimed that the United States would now "manage" Venezuela "until such time as we can execute a safe, proper and judicious transition." He also added that communication had been made with Rodríguez.

On Sunday, he warned that the US might launch a second strike if remaining members of the administration fail to comply with his efforts to get the country "back on track."

Trump's move have entirely sidelined the country's democratic opposition, lead by Nobel laureate María Corina Machado. This tactic has been widely criticised by observers who argue that the regime's power structure remains largely intact – simply without Maduro at its helm.

Rodríguez's Evolving Position

In her first public appearance after Maduro's capture, Rodríguez initially struck a defiant tone, proclaiming that Venezuela would "not ever be anyone's colony."

However, on Sunday night, after chairing her first cabinet meeting, she adopted a significantly more cooperative stance. Rodríguez released a message stating she considered a "stable and mutual relationship" with the United States to be a key objective.

"We extend an invitation the government of the US to collaborate on an cooperative agenda, focused on mutual progress, within the confines of international law, and that strengthens lasting peaceful coexistence," she added.

A Direct Appeal to Trump

Addressing the former US president directly, she wrote: "Mr. Trump: our nations and our hemisphere deserve dialogue and peace, not war. That has consistently been President Nicolás Maduro’s belief and it is that of the entire nation at this moment."

"This is the Venezuela I have faith in and to which I have dedicated my life. My aspiration is for Venezuela to become a great power where all patriotic Venezuelans can come together. Venezuela has the right to sovereignty, development, peace, and a prosperous future," she added.

Contradictory Messages

Despite the conciliatory tone, the administration – and Rodríguez herself, via her official channel – later paid tribute to 32 "Cuban combatants" who were part of Maduro’s personal security and who perished "as a consequence of the unlawful and reprehensible attack carried out by the US government."

Previously that day, the defence minister, Gen Vladímir Padrino López, had stated that US troops had "cold-bloodedly assassinated much of [Maduro’s] protection team, military personnel and non-combatants," without offering specific details or a confirmed count.