Venezuela's new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has signaled plans for major economic reforms inspired by China's Deng Xiaoping. After Nicolás Maduro was toppled, Rodríguez called for a “new chapter” to revive the economy and reform oil laws to attract foreign companies. Despite Maduro's negative image in Washington, she pledged closer ties with the US, along with China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran. Known as “Delxiaoping” by some, Rodríguez echoed Deng's 1978 call to “emancipate their minds” by admitting where the ruling ideology failed. She promised reforms resembling China's economic opening after decades of chaos. The government created five special economic zones, modeling China’s strategy from the 1980s. Experts say Venezuela could follow China’s path of economic growth without political democracy. Orville Schell of Asia Society noted that Deng lifted the economy but kept tight political control. Major political changes are unlikely, and Rodríguez is expected to proceed cautiously. Rodríguez has led Venezuela’s oil and economic policies since 2018, encouraging partial dollarisation and courting foreign investment. The revival of PDVSA, Venezuela’s state oil firm, depends heavily on foreign funds after years of trouble. Former officials and analysts believe controlled reforms are underway to save the economy but keep political power intact. While economist Ricardo Hausmann doubts investors will risk money in the unstable market, Rodríguez’s government is pressing forward. US former President Donald Trump’s administration unexpectedly backed this new regime, sidelining democracy activists like Nobel laureate María Corina Machado. If the reforms succeed, Venezuela may evolve into a prosperous autocracy similar to today’s China: strong economy with strict political control and limited democracy.