Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodríguez promised elections will be held in her country, stating the Venezuelan people will determine the 'right moment' for the vote. She delivered her first address to the U.N. General Assembly since coming to power, framing Venezuela's path forward after political upheaval and a devastating natural disaster.

Rodríguez said she came to talk about a Venezuela whose national life has been affected by a crisis of political coexistence. She stated that interests alien to the common good of Venezuelans were imposed. Today, she declared, Venezuela is being reborn. Her participation in the U.N. Marks a milestone in Venezuela's reintegration into global diplomacy. She said her country is coming back strong after setbacks suffered this year.

Election promises and political dialogue

Rodríguez pledged elections would be held, emphasizing Venezuelan determination of timing and a new dialogue with opposition sectors. "I wish to state this very clearly before this General Assembly: Elections will be held in Venezuela," Delcy Rodriguez said. Her government has started a political dialogue with opposition sectors. The dialogue aims to secure a process based on equal conditions for all.

She assured the UN that Venezuela's institutions will be prepared to guarantee an inclusive and transparent process when elections occur. They are working to resolve differences through dialogue. Rodríguez told her people she could not promise an easy path. She noted that the country's recovery will take time. Rebuilding the national soul will be our priority, she stated. We will walk united as a single nation that, after the pain, chose hope.

Context of leadership change and U.S. Engagement

Rodríguez assumed power after a U.S. Military raid captured Maduro, who is now held near UN headquarters awaiting trial on drug charges. She took over in Venezuela after a surprise U.S. Military raid in January. The raid captured then-leader Nicolás Maduro, who was brought to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. This is the first trip to the United States by a Venezuelan head of state since 2018, when Maduro traveled to New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Maduro is currently being held only a few miles from the U.N. Headquarters as he awaits trial.

Rodríguez stated the last time that two presidents of Venezuela and the United States met was in 2009. She thanked President Donald Trump for being willing to resume relations after the U.S. Military operation and for his willingness to resume diplomatic relations and cooperation. Since rising to power, Rodríguez has forged a close working relationship with Trump. U.S. Influence in Venezuela has grown following the lifting of sanctions against Rodríguez in April. The lifting of sanctions is one of several recent moves by Washington to recognize Rodríguez as a legitimate authority.

Before her speech at the U.N. Wednesday night, Trump and Rodríguez met at a pull-aside meeting late Tuesday during a reception hosted by Trump at a New York hotel. It was the first time Trump and Rodríguez met in person since the operation that captured Maduro. Rodríguez said they discussed strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in energy, mining, security, and other mutual interests. She made this statement on X after the encounter. The meeting came after the two countries announced an agreement last month to give the U.S. A stake in Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Rodríguez described the deal as a step toward economic recovery that will modernize Venezuela's oil industry.

Natural disaster compounds national challenges

Rodríguez's UN appearance came amid national recovery from two powerful earthquakes that killed over 6,500 and caused widespread devastation. On June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela. The earthquakes left an untold number of missing and caused widespread devastation.

Rodríguez faced a delicate balance in her speech, addressing both her people and the U.S. Government. She mentioned cooperation in the energy sector, promotion of security, joint fight against transnational crime, and economic cooperation. She said her country is coming back strong after setbacks suffered this year.