Delcy Rodríguez holds a commanding position in the market as Venezuela’s acting president, installed by Supreme Court order in early January 2026 after U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro. She has since consolidated control through cabinet reshuffles, security appointments, and ongoing U.S.-backed talks with select opposition factions that have produced judicial reforms and prisoner releases but no firm election date. The Chavista institutional framework remains intact, oil-sector agreements with Washington continue, and scheduled votes are not expected before year-end. This continuity underpins trader consensus on her de facto leadership through December 2026. Shifts could still arise from an accelerated electoral timetable, successful opposition pressure to seat an alternative figure, or abrupt changes in U.S. policy.