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Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has offered to work with the United States, marking a shift from the confrontational rhetoric she first adopted after the apprehension of former dictator Nicolás Maduro.

A Statement of Cooperation

In a statement released late Sunday, Rodríguez declared she had "invited the US government to cooperate on an framework of cooperation."

Her remarks followed just hours after ex-President Donald Trump warned that Maduro's former vice-president could "pay a very big price, potentially more severe than Maduro" if she did not bend to his wishes.

Leadership Shift in the Country

Rodríguez has assumed de facto control of Venezuela since Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured over the weekend. The couple were transported to New York and are scheduled for an appearance at a U.S. court in Manhattan.

She was sworn in as president by the constitutional tribunal on Saturday. The next day, the military leadership pledged to acknowledge her leadership, while simultaneously calling for the prompt liberation of Maduro and his wife.

The Former President's Statements and Approach

Following the surprising apprehension of Maduro, Trump claimed that the United States would now "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can execute a orderly and lawful transition." He also added that contact had been made with Rodríguez.

On Sunday, he cautioned that the US might initiate a further action if remaining members of the government do not cooperate with his efforts to get the country "fixed."

Trump's move have entirely sidelined the country's democratic opposition, headed by Nobel prizewinner María Corina Machado. This tactic has been widely criticised by observers who contend that the existing power framework remains mostly unchanged – just without Maduro at its helm.

Rodríguez's Evolving Position

In her initial address after Maduro's detention, Rodríguez first adopted a stance of resistance, proclaiming that Venezuela would "never again be any other nation's colony."

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

"We invite the United States government to work jointly on an agenda of cooperation, aimed at mutual progress, within the confines of global norms, and that strengthens enduring peace," she added.

A Direct Appeal to Trump

Addressing the American ex-president directly, she said: "President Donald Trump: our nations and our hemisphere deserve dialogue and peace, not war. That has always been President Nicolás Maduro’s conviction and it is that of all Venezuela at this juncture."

"This is the Venezuela I have faith in and to which I have devoted myself. My dream is for Venezuela to become a significant nation where all patriotic Venezuelans can unite. Venezuela has the right to sovereignty, development, peace, and a prosperous future," she concluded.

Contradictory Signals

Despite the conciliatory tone, the Venezuelan government – and Rodríguez herself, via her social media channel – later honored several dozen "Cuban security personnel" who were part of Maduro’s personal security and who died "due to the criminal and infamous attack carried out by the US government."

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