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The nation's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has offered to work with the US government, dialing back from the confrontational rhetoric she initially displayed after the apprehension of ousted leader Nicolás Maduro.

An Announcement of Collaboration

In a statement issued Sunday night, Rodríguez declared she had "extended an invitation to the US government to work together on an agenda of cooperation."

Her comments followed just a short time after ex-President Donald Trump warned that Rodríguez could "pay a very big price, potentially more severe than Maduro" if she did not bend to his demands.

Leadership Shift 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 due to appear at a U.S. court in Manhattan.

She was formally inaugurated as president by the supreme court on Saturday. The next day, the military leadership agreed to recognise her authority, while still demanding the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.

Trump's Statements and Strategy

Following the shocking capture of Maduro, Trump stated that the United States would now "manage" Venezuela "until we can do a orderly and lawful transition." He also added that communication had been established with Rodríguez.

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

Trump's actions have effectively marginalized the country's democratic opposition, lead by Nobel prizewinner María Corina Machado. This tactic has been broadly condemned by observers who contend that the existing power framework remains largely intact – just without Maduro at its helm.

The Leader's Shifting Position

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

However, on Sunday night, after presiding over a government meeting, she struck a significantly more conciliatory tone. Rodríguez issued a communication stating she considered a "balanced and respectful relationship" with the United States to be a priority.

"We invite the United States government to work jointly on an cooperative agenda, focused on mutual progress, within the confines of international law, and that strengthens lasting peaceful coexistence," she stated.

A Direct Address to Trump

Speaking to the former US president directly, she said: "Mr. Trump: our nations and our region are entitled to dialogue and peace, not war. That has consistently been President Nicolás Maduro’s conviction and it is that of all Venezuela at this moment."

"This nation I believe in and to which I have devoted myself. My aspiration is for Venezuela to become a significant nation where all decent Venezuelans can unite. Venezuela has the right to peace, development, sovereignty and a future," she added.

Contradictory Messages

Despite the conciliatory tone, the administration – and Rodríguez herself, via her official channel – later honored 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 United States."

Earlier on Sunday, the defense chief, Gen Vladímir Padrino López, had said in a statement that US troops had "cold-bloodedly assassinated much of [Maduro’s] protection team, military personnel and non-combatants," without providing names or a death toll.