Trump Plans Meeting With Venezuela Leader at UN
Trump Plans Meeting With Venezuela Leader at UN
Anonymous
Key Points
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The potential meeting would be the first publicly known face-to-face encounter between Trump and Rodríguez, after months of discussions conducted mainly by telephone and through senior U.S. and Venezuelan officials.
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other senior Trump administration officials have already held direct talks with Rodríguez in Venezuela, indicating that high-level engagement extends beyond the presidents’ phone calls.
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Trump had previously left the meeting uncertain, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “I may be,” when asked whether he would meet Rodríguez.
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The administration’s Venezuela policy is unfolding amid a broader political calculation in South Florida: local politicians, pollsters and consultants reportedly view higher gasoline prices linked to the Iran war and the administration’s immigration enforcement as more immediate Republican midterm concerns than promoting democracy in Venezuela.
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Washington’s cooperation with Rodríguez has included a sweeping oil agreement between the two governments, which has itself drawn scrutiny.
President Trump is planning to meet Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, as early as Tuesday during the UN General Assembly in New York ABC News. The encounter would be their first face-to-face meeting and signals a major shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations following the U.S. capture of former president Nicolás Maduro White House. Oil deals, trade, and restoring diplomatic ties are expected to dominate the talks.
The meeting carries political risk in South Florida, where Venezuelan exiles oppose cooperation with Rodríguez, a longtime socialist tied to Maduro Archy Netys. Trump told reporters he may attend, leaving the meeting uncertain ABC News. Senior officials including CIA Director John Ratcliffe have already met with Rodríguez in Venezuela.
High-Level Talks Already Underway
Trump and Rodríguez have held multiple phone conversations since her rise to power ABC News. But behind the scenes, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other senior administration officials have already conducted direct talks with her in Caracas ABC News. These preliminary meetings suggest Washington is moving fast to build a working relationship with Venezuela's new leader.
Oil Agreements and Trade at Center of Talks
A sweeping oil agreement between the U.S. and Venezuela is already in place, giving Washington leverage in regional politics Archy Netys. Oil, trade relations, and national security will be the main topics if the UN meeting happens ABC News. The administration is also exploring a potential restoration of full diplomatic ties with Caracas.
South Florida Politicians Worry About Exile Backlash
Venezuelan exiles in South Florida strongly oppose the Trump administration's cooperation with Rodríguez ABC News. Many view her as inseparable from the Maduro and Chávez era. Local politicians and pollsters say Republicans are more focused on midterm concerns like gas prices and immigration than promoting democracy in Venezuela.
Meeting Still Unconfirmed, Trump Uncertain
Trump has not fully committed to the meeting. When asked aboard Air Force One if he would meet Rodríguez, he replied: "I may be." ABC News Administration officials have cautioned that the encounter remains subject to Trump's final approval. The meeting is planned as a "pull-aside" event on the UN General Assembly sidelines White House.
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