"Don't ask me who is in charge because I'm going to give you a very controversial answer," Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked if he had spoken to Delcy Rodríguez.
"That means we are in control," the president then explained.
Shortly afterwards, former Vice President Rodríguez released a statement inviting cooperation with the United States.
"We urge the US government to cooperate with us," she wrote, emphasizing "joint development within the framework of international law," according to AP.
The statement signals a shift from Rodríguez, who has previously stressed that US actions in Venezuela violate international law. Trump has previously threatened her with tangible consequences if she does not cooperate with the US.
Delcy Rodríguez has been serving as interim leader of Venezuela since Maduro was captured, and has received the support of both political and legal institutions as well as the military. On Monday morning, local time, she will be officially sworn in as interim president, reports the BBC.
