Credited from: SCMP
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, is set to visit the United States, signaling a significant shift in the diplomatic relationship between Washington and Caracas. This visit will mark the first time a sitting Venezuelan leader has traveled to the U.S. in over a quarter century, as the last instance was in 1989. A senior White House official confirmed that no exact date has been established yet for the visit, reflecting evolving ties since the U.S. military operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from power earlier this month, according to Le Monde, South China Morning Post, and Anadolu Agency.
During a recent statement, Rodriguez emphasized her willingness to "approach dialogue with the United States without fear," aiming to address lingering challenges through diplomatic channels. "We are in a process of dialogue, of working with the United States... to confront our differences and difficulties," she stated, marking a notable shift from previous diplomatic stances, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.
Despite this diplomatic overture, Rodriguez remains under U.S. sanctions, which include an asset freeze. The complex nature of diplomacy may pose internal challenges for Rodriguez as she may face opposition from hardline factions within the Venezuelan government who oppose any collaboration with the United States, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.
The potential visit represents a turnaround in Venezuela-U.S. relations after years of hostility, which could further impact the political landscape. Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president and oil minister, now finds herself navigating this complex environment while maintaining diplomatic engagement with the U.S. government, as reported by Anadolu Agency and South China Morning Post.