Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez stated on Thursday that her government is not afraid of a diplomatic conflict with the United States. Her remarks came after a U.S. military strike on January 3 that ousted her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro. Addressing the nation in parliament, Rodríguez said Venezuela recognizes U.S. power but will face it through political dialogue and diplomacy. Lawmakers applauded her speech as she urged Washington to respect Maduro’s dignity amid his drug trafficking trial in the United States.

Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president and a close ally of his leftist government, spoke shortly after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump described her as an “extraordinary person” and said they discussed oil, minerals, trade, and national security, achieving what he called “remarkable progress.” Meanwhile, Rodríguez is balancing U.S. demands with the need to avoid backlash from pro-Maduro security forces and paramilitary groups.

On the same day, Trump met Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The White House called the meeting positive, though Trump continues to largely overlook other opposition figures.