President Trump dismissed Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez's claim that Nicolás Maduro remains the legitimate leader, calling it politically necessary. Trump made the comments during a flight to Washington, downplaying remarks from Rodríguez who made the statement in an exclusive interview with NBC News last week.

Rodríguez, a lawyer by profession, defended Maduro and his wife as innocent during the interview. The U.S. captured the former Venezuelan president in a surprise raid last month, with Maduro and his wife later indicted on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges in federal court in New York after pleading not guilty.

Trump has praised Rodríguez's leadership since Maduro's capture and touted the potential benefits of Venezuela's oil resources for both countries. Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently traveled to Venezuela, with Trump indicating possible future visits as the new administration forms ties with the country's leadership.