Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has stated that she has received an invitation to visit the United States, marking a potential turning point in the historically strained relations between Caracas and Washington. The claim was made during an exclusive interview with NBC News, coinciding with a high-profile visit to Caracas by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
“I have been invited to the States,” Rodriguez told NBC News. She indicated that her administration is currently considering the offer, contingent on the progress of ongoing diplomatic and economic discussions. “We’re contemplating coming there once we establish this cooperation and we can move forward with everything,” she added.
The revelation comes amidst a rapid shift in the diplomatic landscape following the events of early January, when U.S. forces detained former President Nicolás Maduro. While Rodriguez has assumed the role of interim president to ensure administrative continuity, she used the interview to reiterate her loyalist stance, asserting that Maduro remains the “legitimate president” of Venezuela and maintaining his innocence regarding the charges he currently faces in New York.
Despite her defense of Maduro, Rodriguez emphasized that she is currently exercising full executive authority. “I can tell you I am in charge of the presidency of Venezuela, as is stated clearly in the constitution,” she said, describing her workload as “very, very hard work.”
The possibility of a visit to Washington signals a significant thaw in relations under the current U.S. administration. The presence of Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Caracas—who was reportedly serenaded by Venezuelan musicians at the Miraflores Palace—suggests a mutual interest in revitalizing Venezuela’s oil sector. Wright’s visit was described as an effort to “transform the relationship” and open doors for U.S. investment in the energy-rich nation.
If Rodriguez proceeds with the trip, it would represent the first official visit by a Venezuelan head of state to the United States in decades. The move suggests a pragmatic approach from both sides, prioritizing economic stability and energy cooperation despite the complex political backdrop surrounding Maduro’s detention.
* theguardian.com
* chinimandi.com
* aap.com.au
* leadership.ng
* azernews.az
* cgtn.com
* mediaite.com
* sheppnews.com.au
* devdiscourse.com
* theguardian.com
