Megyn Kelly

President Trump making clear early on that Rodriguez, who was sworn in shortly after the raid...

would be allowed to remain in charge as long as her government cooperates with his demands.

Mr. Trump referring to Ms.

Rodriguez as, quote, a terrific person following a phone call earlier this month.

Rodriguez, who was Maduro's vice president, had initially talked tough internally about the United States, which US officials understood to be a necessary show of swagger to her countrymen.

However, in comments made on Sunday to supporters, Rodriguez striking a tougher tone toward the United States, saying, quote,

Enough already of Washington's orders over politicians in Venezuela.

Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and internal conflicts.

Similarly, last week, The Guardian reporting on a two-hour leaked phone call shortly after the raid between Rodriguez, remaining cabinet officials, and, quote, regime-friendly influencers.

According to the report, remaining regime officials expressed concerns they could be labeled traitors following Maduro's capture, the call aiming to preserve unity within their own coalition.

Rodriguez reportedly heard saying cabinet members were given just 15 minutes to decide whether to comply with U.S.

demands or, quote, they would kill us.

Rodriguez going on to say on the call, quote, the threats and the blackmail are constant and we have to proceed with patience and strategic prudence with very clear objectives, brothers and sisters, to preserve peace, to rescue our hostages, meaning Maduro and his wife now sitting in a New York prison, and to preserve political power.

Despite the subversive messaging, Rodriguez appears so far to be complying with U.S.

demands.

Rodriguez saying last Friday that 626 political prisoners had been released.

On Sunday, another 104 were set free.

President Trump posting yesterday to Truth Social, quote, I am pleased to report that Venezuela is releasing its political prisoners at a rapid rate, which will be increasing over the coming short period of time.

I'd like to thank the leadership of Venezuela for agreeing to this powerful humanitarian gesture.

A U.S.