Maduro was handed over to the Americans by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez — Daily Mail

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez held secret talks with US representatives in Doha a few months before the attack on Caracas, during which President Nicolas Maduro was captured. It is reported by the British Daily Mail.

During secret talks organized by a high-ranking member of the Qatari royal family, Delcy Rodriguez presented herself to American officials as a "more acceptable" alternative to the 63-year-old dictator. According to an October report by the Miami Herald, Rodriguez offered the United States a vision of "Madurism without Maduro" — a kind of "light mode." The details of the meetings have prompted speculation that the US seizure of the Venezuelan president and his wife, Celia Flores, was an "inside job" carefully planned over several months," the publication says.

Former Colombian vice President Francisco Santos Calderon said he was "absolutely sure" that Maduro's deputy betrayed him by "handing over" to the United States without a fight. "They did not remove it, but handed it over," he said on the Colombian television channel NTN24.

"I am absolutely sure that Delcy Rodriguez handed it over… President Trump says that it is Delcy who will lead the transition period, so it is Delcy who will be the leader of the transition. She knows very clearly what role she will play and will try to earn a little independence," added the former vice president of Colombia.

After Maduro's capture on Saturday, Rodriguez maintained a critical tone, the newspaper writes. In a televised address, she condemned the "unprecedented military aggression of the White House," demanded the "immediate release" of Maduro and his wife, and stated that the country "will never again become anyone's colony." However, on Sunday, abruptly changing the tone, the acting president has already offered to "cooperate" with the administration of Donald Trump and expressed hope to establish "respectful relations" with the US president.

"We invite the US government to cooperate with us on an agenda aimed at joint development within the framework of international law to strengthen the lasting coexistence of communities," she said on social networks.

It is noted that Rodriguez has served as vice president under Maduro since 2018, overseeing most of Venezuela's oil economy. On Saturday, the country's Supreme Court decided to appoint her acting president.

"She is, in fact, ready to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again," Trump told reporters about Rodriguez.