Donald Trump is set to sit down with Delcy Rodriguez in New York this Tuesday. It marks the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Washington forcibly removed Nicolas Maduro from power in January. The interaction will happen during a reception Trump is hosting for heads of state attending the UN General Assembly, according to US Ambassador Mike Waltz.
Waltz confirmed the schedule during a briefing call but refused to outline specific agenda items. The timing signals a deepening strategic alignment, coming just weeks after the US and Venezuela signed an energy pact. That agreement effectively hands American companies a role in revitalizing the country's crumbling oil infrastructure, giving Washington partial control over its vast reserves.
Rodriguez, who served as Maduro’s deputy, has solidified her grip on the presidency since the ouster. Her government has pivoted toward direct engagement with the White House, a sharp departure from the previous administration's isolationist stance. Meanwhile, opposition figure Maria Corina Machado remains in limbo, having left the country late last year to claim the Nobel Peace Prize after living in hiding following the disputed 2024 election. She had previously sought an alliance with Trump, but the President has consistently backed Rodriguez instead.
Venezuela's communications ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The diplomatic dance continues as Trump leverages the UN platform to cement his influence in Latin America. The next major test for the Rodriguez administration will be the implementation details of the energy deal, expected to be finalized in coming months.