Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, addressed the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirming her government’s commitment to conducting elections while emphasizing that the Venezuelan population will decide the optimal timing for such a vote. She indicated that her administration has initiated political dialogue with opposition groups to establish an electoral framework based on fairness and equal participation across all sectors.
Rodríguez assumed the presidency following a U.S. military operation in January that removed former leader Nicolás Maduro from power and transported him to the United States to face drug trafficking allegations. Her address represented the first appearance by a Venezuelan head of state at the U.N. General Assembly since 2018, and she characterized her presence as a significant step in Venezuela’s return to the international community. She noted that high-level diplomatic engagement between Venezuelan and U.S. leadership had been absent since 2009.
During her remarks, Rodríguez acknowledged substantial challenges confronting the nation, including the aftermath of powerful earthquakes that struck north-central Venezuela on June 24, causing extensive casualties and infrastructure damage. She appealed to the international community while balancing her messaging toward both her domestic constituency and U.S. officials holding her predecessor in custody. Rodríguez expressed gratitude for the Trump administration’s openness to normalizing relations and lifting sanctions, measures implemented following the capture of Maduro.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Rodríguez met with President Trump to discuss bilateral cooperation on energy, mining, security, and economic matters. The two countries had recently announced an agreement granting the United States participation in Venezuela’s petroleum resources as part of broader economic recovery efforts. Rodríguez characterized her administration’s primary focus as national reconstruction and the establishment of democratic institutions, while stressing that recovery would require sustained effort and time.
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