Scoop: Trump expected to meet with Venezuela's new leader

President Donald Trump will meet with Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez in New York next week during the United Nations General Assembly, according to U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz. The meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, marks the first direct encounter between the two leaders since the 2015 summit in Panama involving former President Barack Obama and then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The planned meeting comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Caracas following the U.S.-led military operation in January that resulted in the arrest of Maduro on narco-terrorism charges. Rodríguez, who took power after a failed coup against Maduro, has worked closely with Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to improve bilateral ties. Key among these efforts was the signing of a controversial oil agreement, which grants the U.S. majority control over a portion of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves. The meeting is expected to occur just blocks away from the federal detention facility where Maduro is currently awaiting trial. According to a Trump adviser, the president views Rodríguez as a critical figure in his foreign policy successes, particularly regarding Venezuela. “Unless something goes really wrong, the president wants to make time,” the adviser said. However, a senior administration official noted that nothing is finalized, emphasizing that the decision rests with the president. During a press briefing aboard Air Force One, Trump responded to questions about the meeting by saying, “I may be, I may be.” The meeting is part of a broader schedule that includes bilateral meetings with leaders from the UK, Japan, and the Gulf region. These talks are intended to address issues such as the Iran conflict and regional security concerns. The potential meeting has drawn mixed reactions, especially within Venezuela’s diaspora community in South Florida. Conservative Venezuelans, many of whom are active in political advocacy, have expressed frustration with the administration’s close cooperation with Rodríguez, a long-time socialist aligned with former leader Hugo Chávez. They argue that the U.S. should prioritize supporting democratic processes in Venezuela, particularly given the ongoing criticism of Maduro as an election fraudster. Supporters of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, have also voiced concerns over the administration’s handling of her recent attempt to return to Venezuela after a series of earthquakes. Despite public criticisms of Maduro, neither Trump nor Rubio has publicly advocated for free elections in Venezuela. Political analysts in Florida suggest that while promoting democracy in Venezuela is a priority, immediate challenges such as rising gasoline prices and strict immigration policies pose greater electoral risks for Republicans ahead of the midterms. Polling data indicates that both Trump and Rodríguez have low approval ratings, while Machado’s support, though high, is gradually declining. Some within Trump’s inner circle have raised concerns that the meeting might further alienate Rodríguez domestically, portraying her as overly dependent on U.S. influence. However, the administration official stated that Trump is unconcerned about these perceptions, citing the president’s belief that Rodríguez is effectively advancing U.S. interests. The meeting, described as an informal “pull aside” rather than a formal bilateral session, is expected to last only briefly. It will not include formal delegations or joint press appearances. Instead, it will serve as a private exchange between the two leaders during the high-level UN sessions. This format aligns with previous diplomatic practices, allowing for candid discussions without the constraints of formal protocols.