In a significant turn of events for Venezuela’s political landscape, acting President Delcy Rodriguez recently engaged in a constructive phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a new chapter in U.S.-Venezuela relations. Following the controversial detention of former President Nicolas Maduro, Rodriguez has committed to building a path towards reconciliation, including the release of political prisoners, while garnering support from international figures to reinforce democracy and human rights in the nation.
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez has pledged to continue the release of prisoners previously detained under the presidency of Nicolas Maduro and characterized her first phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump as productive. Rodriguez, who served as Maduro’s vice president, described their discussion as positive, focusing on a bilateral agenda designed to benefit both nations.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump indicated they discussed crucial topics such as oil, minerals, trade, and national security, suggesting that the “partnership” between the U.S. and Venezuela could be “spectacular.” Reflecting on their lengthy conversation, Trump remarked on their growing rapport, describing Rodriguez as a “terrific person” and noting that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also been in contact with the acting president.
This interaction follows the U.S. military’s recent abduction of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during an operation in Caracas on January 3. They are currently being held in a U.S. prison. Nonetheless, Trump asserted that a second wave of U.S. military actions against Venezuela had been called off due to the cooperation of Venezuelan leaders, highlighted by the significant release of prisoners as a gesture of goodwill.
During her first media briefing since Maduro’s abduction, Rodriguez conveyed that Venezuela is entering a “new political moment,” emphasizing that the process of releasing detainees is ongoing. She articulated her vision for the country, aspiring for a renewed spirit of coexistence and cooperation among Venezuelans, while condemning messages of hatred and intolerance. The acting president, supported by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, affirmed her commitment to strict law enforcement and credited Maduro for initiating prisoner releases.
The promise to continue freeing prisoners coincided with Jorge Rodriguez’s announcement that over 400 detainees had recently been released. Although Venezuelan authorities deny the existence of political prisoners, calls for the release of those detained for political reasons have been a longstanding demand among human rights advocates, international organizations, and opposition figures.
Looking ahead, Trump is set to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House, in what will be their first in-person meeting since Maduro’s abduction. Machado, who received the Nobel Peace Prize last year, has expressed her willingness to transfer the prize to Trump, a move the Nobel Committee has clarified is not permissible.
This evolving dialogue between U.S. and Venezuelan leaders reflects potential pathways for political reconciliation and improved governance within Venezuela, indicating a shift towards a more collaborative approach in the region. #PoliticsNews #CultureNews