Delcy Rodríguez has maintained tight control of political conditions inside the country, while prioritising economic liberalisation.

U.S. prosecutors are reportedly pursuing a second criminal investigation into Nicolás Maduro, raising the possibility that the ousted Venezuelan leader could face additional charges beyond the drug trafficking and narcoterrorism case already pending in New York.

The extradition of Alex Saab, who is tied to a huge graft scheme, is part of a purge of powerful figures who helped the deposed president, Nicolás Maduro, stay in power.

"There is an inevitability of some form of action if the threats and the saber rattling don't work," one analyst told Newsweek.

Alex Saab made his initial court appearance after being deported over the weekend by acting President Delcy Rodríguez as part of a purge of insider businessmen who are believed to have enriched themselves through corrupt dealings with Maduro.