Trump to Venezuela's Rodriguez: Elections need to happen

Live updates

1. 49m ago

   Trump and Venezuela's Rodriguez Hold Meeting

   Donald Trump met with Venezuela acting leader Delcy Rodriguez in New York, marking their first encounter since Nicolas Maduro was seized. During the discussions, Trump told Rodriguez that elections need to happen in Venezuela. Rodriguez has since promised elections as part of a transition to full democracy and hailed the gathering as a historic meeting. U.S. officials also discussed debt restructuring with Rodriguez during the talks, highlighting a shifting relationship between Washington and Caracas as Rodriguez prepares to address the United Nations.

   Why it matters

   This high-level interaction represents a dramatic shift for Delcy Rodriguez, who transitioned from serving as Maduro's deputy to becoming a United States-backed interlocutor. The diplomatic opening coincides with her upcoming first address at the United Nations General Assembly. Observers are watching closely to see if this diplomatic thaw leads to substantive democratic reforms inside Venezuela.

   What is confirmed

   • Donald Trump met with Venezuela acting leader Delcy Rodriguez in New York for their first encounter since Maduro was seized.
   • Donald Trump told Delcy Rodriguez that elections need to happen.
   • Delcy Rodriguez promised elections in a transition to full democracy.
   • Marco Rubio stated that Trump and Rodriguez discussed debt restructuring.

   What to watch next

   • Delcy Rodriguez's upcoming address at the United Nations
   • Further developments on potential debt restructuring between the United States and Venezuela
   • Concrete steps or timelines regarding promised elections in Venezuela
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. CNN — Venezuela’s unelected leader Delcy Rodríguez seeks lost legitimacy. Will she get it?
   2. BBC — Trump meets US-backed Venezuelan president for first time since Maduro seized
   3. The Economist — The love-in between Donald Trump and Delcy Rodríguez
   4. The Guardian — Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez hails ‘historic meeting’ with Donald Trump in New York
   5. Miami Herald — Trump meets Delcy Rodríguez as relationship with Venezuelan leader deepens
   6. Reuters — Trump, Venezuela's Rodriguez discuss debt restructuring, Rubio says
   7. The Guardian — Argentina’s Milei slams ‘useless’ UN at its summit, saying it ‘looked the other way’ over Falkland Islands - live
   8. Axios — Trump to Venezuela's Rodriguez: Elections need to happen
   9. The New York Times — After Warm Meeting With Trump, Venezuela’s Leader Is Set to Address U.N.
   10. CNN — Live updates: Zelensky warns Putin poses global danger as Iran’s president strikes defiant tone at UN
   11. The Hill — Venezuela’s acting leader, at UN for first address, praises Trump for ‘readiness’ to resume ties
   12. WSJ — U.N. Visit Spotlights Delcy Rodríguez’s Turn From Maduro Deputy to Trump Ally
   confidence 100%