Trump meets with Venezuela's interim leader face to face for first time

New York, New York - President Donald Trump met with Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, according to the White House, in their first face-to-face encounter.

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez and ´President Donald Trump pose for a picture during a meeting in New York on September 22, 2026. It was their first face-to-face encounter.
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez and ´President Donald Trump pose for a picture during a meeting in New York on September 22, 2026. It was their first face-to-face encounter.  © HANDOUT / VENEZUELAN PRESIDENCY / AFP

Several US officials attended the meeting in addition to Trump, a White House official said, including top advisor Stephen Miller, chief of staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

No further details of the meeting were immediately available.

Rodriguez, who was set to address the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, is the first Venezuelan head of state to visit since deposed President Nicolas Maduro was abducted in a US military raid in January.

San Francisco sues Trump media over paid early access to Truth Social posts: "Corruption, plain and simple"
Donald Trump San Francisco sues Trump media over paid early access to Truth Social posts: "Corruption, plain and simple"

Rodriguez was Venezuela's vice president under Maduro, but has thus far cooperated with Washington's demands.

This includes granting US access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves, the largest in the world.

Trump mentioned Venezuela during his address at the UN on Tuesday, saying: "When you add the United States and Venezuela together, we have more than 60% of the oil in the world."

"To the victor belong the spoils," he added.

Cover photo: HANDOUT / VENEZUELAN PRESIDENCY / AFP

More on Donald Trump: