Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Trump Meets Venezuela’s Rodriguez After Maduro’s Capture, Amid Oil Dispute
Donald Trump met Delcy Rodriguez, who leads Venezuela’s interim government, in New York.
It was their first meeting since Nicolas Maduro was captured in January.
The meeting happened during a reception connected to the United Nations General Assembly.
Rodriguez brought officials to discuss oil, mining, debt and investment.
They wanted businesses and lenders to see Venezuela as a place where they could invest.
Trump said he wants $100 billion invested in Venezuela’s oil industry.
The Inter-American Development Bank is also seeking approval for a $2.5 billion loan for Venezuela.
More than 50 protesters said Venezuela should hold free elections.
They criticized Rodriguez because of her long association with the Chavista political movement.
Donald Trump met interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez in New York, their first meeting since Nicolas Maduro’s capture in January.
The meeting occurred during a Trump-hosted reception on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Rodriguez’s delegation discussed energy, mining, debt and investment while presenting Venezuela as “investable.”
Trump said he wants $100 billion invested in Venezuela’s oil industry and praised a recent oil agreement with Caracas.
More than 50 protesters outside the United Nations demanded free elections and criticized cooperation with Rodriguez’s government.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, accompanied by senior officials from both governments.
- What
- They held their first meeting since Nicolas Maduro’s capture, amid discussions about oil, investment and Venezuela’s political future.
- When
- Late Tuesday, September 22, during Rodriguez’s first U.S. trip since taking office.
- Where
- At a reception hosted by Trump in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- The governments are pursuing economic cooperation, while critics are urging support for free elections in Venezuela.
U.S. and Venezuelan Officials
Critics and Protesters
Economic cooperation
U.S. and Venezuelan Officials
Trump and Rodriguez’s governments are pursuing oil, energy, mining, debt and investment discussions that could bring capital to Venezuela.
Critics and Protesters
Critics say Washington is emphasizing oil and investment agreements while reducing pressure for democratic reforms.
Political transition
U.S. and Venezuelan Officials
Trump presented Maduro’s capture and cooperation with Rodriguez as serving U.S. interests and advancing freedom in the Western Hemisphere.
Critics and Protesters
Protesters say Rodriguez remains connected to the Chavista political system and are demanding free elections.
Engagement with Rodriguez
U.S. and Venezuelan Officials
Trump has established a working relationship with Rodriguez and met her during the General Assembly.
Critics and Protesters
Demonstrators objected to engagement with what they called the same regime under a new face.
- Meeting participants
- Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez, Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, Susie Wiles and Stephen Miller attended, according to a White House official.
- Meeting setting
- The meeting took place during a Trump-hosted reception on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Venezuelan delegation
- The delegation included Venezuela’s vice president of economy, oil minister and officials from state oil company PDVSA.
- Economic discussions
- Talks covered energy, mining and debt with U.S. officials, multilateral lenders and companies.
- Potential loan
- The Inter-American Development Bank’s head was seeking approval for a $2.5 billion loan for Venezuela.
- Oil investment target
- Trump has said he wants $100 billion invested in Venezuela’s oil industry.
- Protest
- More than 50 people gathered outside the United Nations demanding free elections.
