Venezuela’s acting president is scheduled to travel to the United States, as confirmed by a senior US official on Wednesday, indicating President Donald Trump’s support for the new leader of the oil-rich nation.
Delcy Rodriguez is set to become the first sitting Venezuelan president to visit the US in over 25 years, excluding presidents attending UN gatherings in New York. In a statement on Wednesday, Rodriguez expressed her readiness to engage in dialogue with the United States without hesitation.
“We are engaging in dialogue and collaboration with the United States without reservations to address our differences and challenges through diplomatic means,” Rodriguez stated.
The invitation symbolizes a significant shift in US-Venezuela relations since the covert operation where US Delta Force personnel apprehended President Nicolas Maduro and transferred him to the US to face drug trafficking charges. Rodriguez, a former vice president and key figure in Venezuela’s anti-American government, is now serving as interim president.
Despite facing US sanctions, including asset freezes, Rodriguez has initiated changes in the country’s military leadership by appointing 12 senior officers to regional commands. While US warships remain positioned off the Venezuelan coast, Rodriguez has facilitated the sale of Venezuelan oil, attracted foreign investments, and released numerous political detainees.
A senior White House official confirmed Rodriguez’s upcoming visit, although the exact date has not been finalized.
The last official visit by a sitting Venezuelan president to the US occurred before Hugo Chavez’s presidency in the 1990s. Subsequent Venezuelan administrations have maintained a confrontational stance towards the US, establishing strong alliances with countries like China, Cuba, Iran, and Russia.
Rodriguez’s potential trip to the US, pending confirmation from Venezuelan authorities, may face opposition within the government from hardliners critical of perceived US influence. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez wield considerable power in Venezuela, and their support for Rodriguez remains uncertain.
Cabello refuted claims of holding meetings with US officials prior to Maduro’s removal during his recent televised program, dismissing such reports as misinformation.
President Trump has shown a willingness to engage with Rodriguez and uphold the current Venezuelan regime in exchange for access to the country’s vast oil reserves. Trump met with exiled opposition leader Maria Corina Machado earlier this month, expressing interest in her involvement in Venezuelan affairs despite initial skepticism.
Trump’s approach of engaging with Rodriguez while avoiding drastic regime changes is seen as a cautious strategy to prevent a repeat of past intervention failures. Critics argue that genuine democracy in Venezuela necessitates the release of political prisoners, amnesty, and the organization of new elections.