Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez arrived in the United States on Monday for the United Nations General Assembly.
She is the first Venezuelan head of state to attend the event since former President Nicolás Maduro addressed the General Assembly in 2018. Maduro, who was captured by U.S. troops in January, is now in a New York jail awaiting trial on drug trafficking and other charges.
“We arrived in New York with the determination and hope of a nation that believes in bringing nations together and fostering unity among them,” Rodríguez wrote in a post on X.
“At the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Venezuela will be present to make its voice heard and defend its principles, with a work agenda based on respect, cooperation, and understanding,” she added.
Rodríguez is also scheduled to meet Trump on Tuesday during a reception for world leaders on the sidelines of the General Assembly, marking their first in-person meeting. Rodríguez was Venezuela’s vice president under Maduro but has so far cooperated with Trump’s demands. This has included granting U.S. access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, which are the largest in the world. Under a recent deal, the two countries announced that the United States will be granted control of about one-fifth of Venezuela’s reserves.
Rodríguez’s presence at the U.N. General Assembly could mark a major step in Venezuela’s return to high-level international diplomacy after years of isolation and confrontation with Washington. The gathering gives Caracas an opportunity to present its post-Maduro political direction directly to world leaders, rebuild strained diplomatic relationships, and seek broader international acceptance of the new government. Her meeting with Trump will add particular significance to the visit, potentially offering an early indication of whether the rapid rapprochement with Washington will expand beyond energy cooperation into a broader diplomatic and economic relationship. (EIR)
