Trump Meets Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez
The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in strategic areas.
Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez reported on a significant meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, which took place during a reception at the Lotte Palace Hotel in New York. This encounter marked the first interaction between the two leaders since U.S. forces apprehended and deposed former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Rodríguez stated on X, formerly Twitter that the meeting was "historic" and focused on enhancing the bilateral relationship between their nations. Discussions included advancing cooperation in key sectors such as energy, mining, and security, along with other shared interests. She also conveyed gratitude for the Trump administration's support following a devastating earthquake on June 24 and for their backing of Venezuela's reintegration into multilateral forums.
"Venezuela and the United States share a historical relationship that, in this new stage, we are called to channel through dialogue," Rodríguez posted. "We will continue to promote a diplomacy at the service of the national interest, oriented toward achieving concrete results and collective benefits for the Venezuelan people."
Sources indicated that Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Rodríguez reportedly attended with her vice president of economy, oil minister, and officials from the state oil company, PDVSA.
President Trump, in a UN speech earlier that day, highlighted the release of hundreds of Venezuelan political prisoners and a substantial oil deal as achievements since Maduro's removal. He characterized the oil agreement, which grants the U.S. control over more than 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, as potentially "the biggest deal ever made."