President Donald Trump downplayed Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez’s recent comments to NBC News that Nicolás Maduro is still Venezuela’s legitimate leader, telling reporters on Monday that the response was one of political necessity.
“I think she probably had to say that. I think politically, maybe she had to say that,” Trump said while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington from Florida.
“She’s done a really good job with her relationship with Venezuela, and I totally understand that.”
Rodriguez made the remarks during an exclusive interview with NBC News host Kristen Welker in Caracas last week.
“I can tell you that President Nicolás Maduro is the legitimate president. As a lawyer, I will tell you this. President Maduro and first lady Celia Flores are innocent,” Rodriguez said.
The US captured the pair in a shocking surprise attack early last month. Maduro and his wife were indicted on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges and days later pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court.
Since Maduro’s arrest, Trump has praised Rodriguez’s leadership and touted the potential benefits of Venezuela’s oil resources to both countries.
Rodriguez also said in an interview with NBC News that she had been invited to travel to the United States, while Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who traveled to Venezuela to meet with the new leader, told reporters before leaving the country that he and other Cabinet secretaries, and possibly Trump, would be back.
This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com
