Delcy Rodriguez will meet with Trump in New York in an unprecedented gesture of rapprochement

Donald Trump will meet with Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela, on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to confirmed reports. The encounter marks the first direct meeting between U.S. and Venezuelan leaders since the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in January. The meeting, described as an informal “pull aside,” will take place alongside high-level diplomatic engagements at the U.N. summit. The meeting was confirmed by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, who stated that Trump will host a reception for world leaders and hold a brief private discussion with Rodríguez. This follows weeks of speculation, including statements from Trump himself last Sunday about the possibility of the meeting. Multiple media outlets, including El País, Bloomberg News, and La Tercera, had previously reported the planned encounter, though no official confirmation existed until this week. This meeting represents a shift in the long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas. Since the U.S.-led operation that resulted in Maduro’s arrest and detention in January, relations have improved significantly. The administration under Trump has positioned Rodríguez as a key player in maintaining stability in Venezuela and advancing economic agreements, particularly in the energy sector. The two nations reached an agreement allowing greater U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s oil industry, which could increase American control over up to 65 billion barrels of proven reserves, doubling its current holdings. Rodríguez’s participation in the U.N. General Assembly is notable, as no Venezuelan leader has attended such an event since 2018, when Maduro last participated. Her presence signals a new phase in the relationship between the two countries, despite past hostility. During her tenure as foreign minister in 2016 and as vice president in 2019, she criticized U.S. policies, accusing them of imposing a form of “state terrorism” through financial institutions and insurance companies. However, recent developments suggest a more cooperative stance from both sides. The meeting comes amid broader diplomatic activity for Trump in New York. He will also meet with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. These meetings are part of the official schedule for the U.N. High-Level Week, during which Trump will address the General Assembly. The change in tone between Washington and Caracas reflects shifting geopolitical dynamics. While the U.S. continues to assert influence over Venezuela’s political and economic structures, the government in Caracas has adopted a more pragmatic approach under Rodríguez. The focus on energy cooperation underscores the strategic importance of Venezuela’s resources to U.S. interests. Meanwhile, the absence of Maduro, who remains in U.S. custody, has created space for Rodríguez to engage directly with Western powers. The timing of the meeting also highlights the evolving role of Venezuela within Latin America. With U.S. military and economic pressure increasing, the country finds itself at a crossroads, balancing internal challenges with external pressures. The upcoming discussions between Trump and Rodríguez may set the stage for further collaboration or renewed conflict, depending on how these talks unfold.