In a context marked by national shock following the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez , presented the report on the Executive Branch’s activities for the year 2025 to the National Assembly on Wednesday .
In an emotional, firm speech full of concrete data, Rodríguez confirmed that Venezuela closed the year with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 8.5% , thus consolidating nineteen consecutive quarters of economic expansion —a regional record that has positioned the country as a leader in growth in South America for three of the last four years.
“Today we can say that our objective, as sworn to the President and the First Lady, is the preservation of Venezuelan national power. Let no one be mistaken ,” Rodríguez affirmed at the beginning of her address, which was also dedicated to the young people who fell defending national sovereignty during the U.S. military aggression of January 3rd . The president recalled that she worked alongside President Maduro on this speech until just six hours before his kidnapping, emphasizing the continuity of the Bolivarian project in the face of external aggression.
Economy in sustained recovery
Rodríguez emphasized that economic growth has been based on three fundamental pillars: PDVSA and Pequiven revenues , tax collection , and the maintenance of macroeconomic balances , all “in the midst of a criminal international blockade” that includes financial sanctions and a recent naval blockade that, according to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), has interrupted exports of 600,000 barrels per day.
In the oil sector, one of the most significant achievements was reaching a production of 1.2 million barrels per day by December 2025 , thanks in large part to the Productive Participation Contracts (CPP) , which attracted investments of $867 million in 2025. Furthermore, he announced the submission to the National Assembly of the Partial Reform Project of the Organic Hydrocarbons Law , which seeks to give permanent legal status to the investment models of the Anti-Blockade Law, guaranteeing the protection of capital flows that have driven the industry’s recovery.
One of the most celebrated milestones was achieving zero fuel imports by 2025 , something not seen in over a decade. The country produced all the gasoline, diesel, and other derivatives it consumed domestically, with an 88.56% increase in gasoline production between 2021 and November 2025.
Safety and quality of life
In terms of security, Venezuela is currently the safest country in Latin America , with a homicide rate of 3 per 100,000 inhabitants , well below the regional average of 16.3. Rodríguez attributed this achievement to a comprehensive policy based on prevention, territorial control, and community participation , as well as a firm offensive against drug trafficking: 65,800 kilograms of drugs seized , 9,760 people arrested , 94 clandestine laboratories destroyed , and 430 aircraft neutralized in thirteen years.
The economic recovery has also had a direct impact on quality of life. There has been a sustained increase in formal employment , and since 2023, a progressive improvement in public health indicators has been observed, with a continuous decrease in maternal and neonatal mortality .
Infrastructure and public services
In the energy sector, the government reported the rehabilitation of 4,930 megawatts (MW) in 2025, representing a 148% increase over the previous year, raising the available capacity of the electrical system to 14,800 MW . Additionally, the first phase of the El Vigía photovoltaic solar plant (50 MW) was commissioned , and a Sovereign Artificial Intelligence system was implemented for predictive infrastructure maintenance.
In the water sector, access to drinking water increased by 110% compared to 2024, reaching a national production of 175,177 liters per second . 144 water treatment plants and 341 aqueducts were rehabilitated , in addition to the construction of 88 new aqueducts and 1,559 wells , many of them in rural and indigenous areas. Social oversight was strengthened with the establishment of 26,482 Water Technical Committees .
In road construction, asphalt laying increased by 70% in 2025 , with more than 1.88 million tons used throughout the national territory.
Communal democracy and participatory budgeting
One of the central themes of the speech was direct democracy . Rodríguez reported that, through six Popular Consultations held between 2024 and 2025, 35,037 projects were funded for a total of $277.6 million , implemented directly by communes and community councils. These resources represent 77.8% of the national budget allocated to social investment .
Furthermore, the Good Governance 1x10 system resolved more than 7.3 million cases nationwide, demonstrating the effectiveness of the articulation between the State and popular power.
Admirable Challenge 2026 and diplomatic sovereignty
At the conclusion of his remarks, Rodríguez presented the Admirable Challenge Plan 2026 , named in honor of President Maduro and inspired by Simón Bolívar’s Admirable Campaign. This plan aims to maintain current production levels—with 99% domestic supply —and further develop the agro-industry, fishing, grains, and animal protein sectors, which already account for over 10% of GDP .
On the international stage, he reaffirmed Venezuela’s right to diplomatic relations with all countries, including the United States, but under principles of equality and respect . “There is a stain on relations between Venezuela and the United States, but we will resolve it face to face through diplomacy. If I have to go to Washington, I will go standing tall, not crawling ,” he declared.
In the midst of adversity, Delcy Rodríguez’s message was clear: Venezuela is still standing, growing, producing and defending its sovereignty with the strength of its organized people .