**Trump Meets Venezuela’s Rodriguez for First Time Since Maduro’s Capture**
US President Donald Trump met with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. This marked their first encounter since American forces captured former President Nicolas Maduro in a raid earlier this year. The meeting took place during a reception hosted by Trump, coinciding with Rodriguez's inaugural visit to the United States since assuming her role.
Rodriguez is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. Accompanying her is a delegation that includes the vice president of the economy, the oil minister, and officials from Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA. The delegation's primary objective is to present Venezuela as an “investable” nation, according to sources close to the team.
Following the meeting, Rodriguez described the encounter as a historic step towards enhancing relations between Venezuela and the US, particularly in the areas of energy, mining, and security. She emphasized the need for dialogue to navigate the "historic relationship" between the two countries. "In this new phase, we are called upon to steer through dialogue," she stated on the messaging platform Telegram. She also expressed her administration's commitment to pursuing diplomacy that aims for "concrete results and collective benefits" for the Venezuelan populace.
The meeting included several key figures from the Trump administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Stephen Miller, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for policy. Trump has reportedly developed a working relationship with Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro's vice president.
However, the meeting has drawn criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that the US has sidelined the opposition led by Maria Corina Machado, abandoning calls for free elections in favor of pursuing oil and investment agreements with Rodriguez’s interim government. Machado, who has been in exile since late last year, has made multiple attempts to return to Venezuela, all of which have been unsuccessful, according to her team and media reports.
On the streets of New York, a small group of Venezuelan protesters gathered to voice their demands for free elections. The demonstrators held signs that read, “No Vote, No Oil” and “New Face, Same Regime,” while chanting slogans and singing the Venezuelan national anthem. One protester, Miguel Eduardo Martinez, expressed his mixed feelings about Rodriguez's meeting with US officials, stating, "On one hand, it’s outrageous to see part of the regime meeting with the authorities of this country’s current government, but there’s also no doubt that thanks to this government, today we are one step closer to freedom."
Cesar Coello, another protester, carried a sign depicting Rodriguez in an orange jumpsuit, criticizing her long-standing association with the Chavista regime. He voiced hope that the discussions between Trump and Rodriguez would lead to a commitment to hold elections in Venezuela.
In his address to the General Assembly, Trump labeled Maduro an “outlaw dictator” and highlighted that hundreds of political prisoners had been released since Maduro's capture. He presented the raid as evidence of the US's commitment to protecting its interests in the Western Hemisphere, stating, “To the victor belong the spoils.” Trump also referred to a recent oil deal signed with Caracas as “perhaps the biggest deal ever made,” and expressed his goal of attracting $100 billion in investments to Venezuela’s oil sector.
Rodriguez's visit to New York comes amid ongoing discussions about Venezuela's economic situation. The head of the Inter-American Development Bank is reportedly working to secure approval for a $2.5 billion loan for Venezuela, although there has been resistance from some members of the bank's board.
As the situation continues to evolve, both the Venezuelan delegation and the US administration appear focused on navigating a complex relationship marked by economic interests and political challenges.