WASHINGTON, CARACAS – Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela, is expected to make an official visit to the United States in the coming weeks, according to a senior U.S. official. If confirmed, the trip would mark the first visit by a sitting Venezuelan president to Washington in more than 25 years, outside of United Nations meetings in New York.
The invitation to Rodríguez reflects a dramatic shift in relations between Washington and Caracas following an unprecedented U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026, in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces and transported to the United States to face drug-related charges.
Although no formal date has yet been set for the visit, the senior official said Rodríguez would travel to the United States soon to engage in high-level discussions. The move comes after months of evolving diplomatic dynamics, including recent interactions between U.S. representatives and Venezuelan leadership that have signalled a willingness on both sides to engage on shared priorities.
Rodríguez, who assumed the interim presidency following Maduro’s removal from office, has taken a more conciliatory tone toward the United States, inviting cooperation on mutual interests while maintaining Venezuela’s sovereignty. Previously, she called for engagement in a spirit of peace and mutual respect, outlining a desire to build a cooperative agenda with Washington.
Her rise to the interim presidency — authorised by Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice and supported by the armed forces — has positioned her at the centre of a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Observers say the planned U.S. visit signals not only a diplomatic thaw but also a strategic opportunity for dialogue on economic and security issues, including oil industry matters and regional stability.
The announcement highlights how Venezuela’s political trajectory is entering a new chapter following the upheaval earlier this month, and how U.S.–Venezuela relations could be redefined through high-level engagement between the interim government in Caracas and officials in Washington.