Delcy Rodriguez would be the first sitting Venezuelan President to make a bilateral visit to the US in over 25 years, signaling President Donald Trump’s willingness to embrace the oil-rich country’s new leadership.
This invitation highlights a dramatic shift in relations following the detention of former president Nicolas Maduro by US forces on narcotrafficking charges. “We are in a process of dialogue… to confront our differences and address them through diplomacy,” she stated.
While a specific date remains unset, the White House confirmed the visit is imminent. Rodriguez, a long-time insider of the former anti-American government, has shifted her approach since assuming the interim presidency.
She has reorganized military leadership, facilitated foreign investment, released political prisoners, and allowed the US to broker oil sales.
Read more: CIA Director John Ratcliffe Meets Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas
However, the proposed trip poses domestic risks for her. Powerful hardliners remain skeptical of Washington, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez.
Cabello recently denied reports that he had met with US officials before Maduro’s ouster, dismissing them as a “campaign” against him. This diplomatic thaw complicates the position of Venezuela’s exiled opposition.
Although President Trump recently hosted Maria Corina Machado, he has questioned her influence over the military, stating only that he would like her “involved in some way.”
Analysts suggest the US strategy aims to avoid the type of instability seen after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Experts warn that full-scale intervention often ends poorly.
Nevertheless, this pragmatic approach has drawn criticism from democracy activists, who argue the US should instead demand the release of all political prisoners and the holding of fresh elections.
