Trump Meets Venezuelan President Rodríguez in First Talks Since Her Appointment

President Donald Trump met with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez at the UN General Assembly on Monday, their first face-to-face discussion since the White House backed her ascent to the country's leadership. Rodríguez succeeded Nicolás Maduro shortly after U.S. forces apprehended him.

The meeting occurred near the New York facility where Maduro is detained, facing charges related to drug trafficking and other offenses.

According to Rodríguez, the discussions focused on "advancing a cooperation agenda in strategic areas such as energy, mining, and security." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were also in attendance.

Rodríguez's administration has previously finalized an agreement that grants the U.S. control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, representing over a fifth of the nation's reserves. This accord provides a U.S.-led company with 100-year concessions for 17 oilfields within Venezuela. Trump has previously characterized this as "the biggest oil deal in world history."

During his address to the UN on Monday, Trump noted that the U.S. and Venezuela together control "more than 60%" of the world's oil supply, stating, "To the victor belong the spoils."

Rodríguez, who previously served as vice-president under Maduro, was subject to U.S. sanctions in 2018. However, these measures were lifted in April of the current year. She was sworn in as interim president by Venezuela's National Assembly days after Maduro's apprehension, with the endorsement of the White House.

Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado has faced repeated obstacles in attempting to re-enter the country.

Rodríguez is scheduled to deliver an address at the UN on Wednesday.