UPDATE: US President Donald Trump just announced a significant breakthrough in US-Venezuela relations following a “long call” with interim president Delcy Rodriguez. This marks the first known communication between the two leaders since the ousting of former president Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2024.
During the Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, Trump described Rodriguez as “a terrific person,” highlighting a “great conversation” that spanned numerous critical topics, including oil, minerals, trade, and national security. “We are making tremendous progress,” he stated, signaling a potentially pivotal shift in US foreign policy towards Venezuela.
Rodriguez, who has been carefully navigating the political landscape to balance US demands with the interests of Maduro loyalists, echoed the sentiment of a productive dialogue. In a post on Telegram, she characterized the call as “productive and courteous,” emphasizing “mutual respect” in their discussions.
This new political landscape comes as Rodriguez announced that Venezuela is entering a “new political era” that embraces “ideological and political diversity.” Under increasing pressure from Washington, Venezuela has recently released dozens of political prisoners, although hundreds remain incarcerated. Rodriguez claimed that a total of 406 political prisoners had been released since December, while the NGO Foro Penal reports a significantly lower number of around 180 freed individuals.
Despite these developments, the situation remains tense. Trump has sidelined prominent opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, asserting she lacks sufficient “respect” within Venezuela. Machado, currently residing outside the country, is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Thursday to advocate for a more prominent role for the opposition in the transitional government.
Adding to the urgency of the situation, 17 journalists and media workers were released earlier today, including renowned opposition activist Roland Carreño. Carreño, who was detained during protests in August 2024, took to social media to call for “peace and reconciliation” after his release. Authorities have been discreetly liberating detainees to avoid large celebrations, opting for low-profile locations away from media scrutiny.
A US State Department official confirmed that American citizens have also been released, though specific details remain undisclosed.
As the situation continues to evolve, observers are watching closely for further developments and the potential implications on both domestic and international fronts. The next steps in US-Venezuela relations could reshape the geopolitical landscape in Latin America, making this an urgent story to follow.
