Trump Announces First-Ever Intention to Visit Venezuela, Date Unspecified

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Trump Announces First-Ever Intention to Visit Venezuela, Date Unspecified

President Donald Trump stated on Friday the 13th that he intends to visit Venezuela, marking the first time he has publicly declared such a plan. However, the President did not specify a date for this potential trip. This declaration occurs amidst ongoing diplomatic engagement between the White House and Venezuela's interim leadership, coupled with a gradual easing of U.S. sanctions on the South American nation. These moves are framed within a broader strategy to foster stability and recovery in Venezuela, particularly following the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro in early January.

Trump made these remarks in Washington shortly before departing for a military base in North Carolina, where he was scheduled to meet soldiers involved in the operation that led to Maduro's apprehension. The deposed leader is currently detained and awaiting trial in New York on charges related to drug trafficking.

When questioned about the White House's ongoing dialogues with Delcy Rodríguez, the interim leader, President Trump affirmed that Washington now regards her as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. He described the bilateral relations as being "as good as they could be" and praised Rodríguez for doing "a great job." This sentiment suggests a strategic shift in U.S. policy, moving towards engagement with the current Venezuelan leadership.

In a significant economic development, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license on Tuesday the 10th, authorizing the provision of U.S. goods, technology, software, or services for the exploration, development, or production of oil and gas in Venezuela. This action is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Venezuela's crucial energy sector, a key source of national revenue.

Furthermore, on Friday, the State Department announced the shipment of over six tons of priority medical supplies to Venezuela. This aid is part of a larger initiative aimed at supporting the country's "stabilization, recovery, and transition plan." A spokesperson stated, "This is the first shipment of a significant effort to increase critical medical supplies to Venezuela." The department did not disclose whether the supplies were donated or funded by revenues from Venezuelan oil sales, funds that were previously held by the U.S. in a Qatari bank account.

According to the Trump administration, Washington has generated approximately $1 billion from the refining of Venezuelan oil since Maduro's capture. In parallel, U.S. authorities have reportedly developed an ambitious $100 billion reconstruction plan for Venezuela's oil industry. This plan is designed to facilitate the expansion of foreign producers and encourage new participants in the sector, signaling a long-term U.S. interest in the Venezuelan energy market's revitalization.

Delcy Rodríguez, in an interview with NBC News published on Thursday the 12th, confirmed that she had been invited to Washington. She indicated that the invitation was under consideration but provided no specifics regarding the timing or the composition of her potential delegation. "We are considering going there as soon as we establish this cooperation and can move forward with everything," she stated.

Concurrently, Venezuelan authorities have been reaching out to opposition sectors, proposing an amnesty law intended to free all political prisoners and exploring the possibility of new elections. During her NBC interview, Rodríguez reiterated her commitment to holding "free and fair" elections in Venezuela, emphasizing that the call for such elections "also implies a country free of sanctions."

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who recently visited Venezuela, referred to Rodríguez as the interim president and stated that it would be up to the Venezuelan people to decide her role in any future elections. These interconnected developments highlight a complex diplomatic landscape, with the U.S. signaling a willingness to engage while emphasizing democratic processes and the eventual role of the Venezuelan populace in shaping their nation's future.

Ekhbary News Agency