Trump Meets Venezuela's Interim President in New York to Secure Historic Oil Deal
New York, Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump met Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez in New York to solidify bilateral cooperation, granting Washington control over vast Venezuelan oil reserves following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest.
Historic Meeting in New York
On Tuesday, 22 September 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump held a closed-door meeting with Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez at the Lotte Palace hotel in Manhattan, New York [1][4]. This diplomatic encounter occurred during a reception for foreign leaders attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly, marking the first face-to-face meeting between leaders of the two nations since 2015 [2][4]. High-level U.S. officials accompanied President Trump, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bressent, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and National Security Advisor Stephen Miller [1][4]. The meeting took place just kilometers from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro remains imprisoned following his capture by U.S. military forces in January 2026 [1][3][4].
Strategic Energy Agreements
A central component of the renewed bilateral relationship involves a significant energy agreement finalized in August 2026, granting the United States control over a substantial portion of Venezuela’s oil reserves [1][2]. Reports indicate the deal covers access to approximately 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, a figure President Trump described during his UN address as part of a arrangement where the U.S. and Venezuela now control more than 60% of the world’s oil [4][5]. Interim President Rodríguez characterized the meeting as historic, emphasizing an agenda of cooperation in strategic areas such as energy, mining, and security [1][4]. President Trump reinforced the transactional nature of the agreement during his UN speech on 22 September 2026, stating, “To the victor belong the spoils” [4][5].
Diplomatic Outreach and Legitimacy
Interim President Rodríguez arrived in New York on 21 September 2026, utilizing a U.S.-registered private jet to attend the General Assembly and meet with international financial institutions [2][4]. Her schedule included meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn [2][5]. Rodríguez is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, seeking to solidify international legitimacy for her administration following the political shift in Caracas [1][4]. However, regional reactions remain mixed, with Brazilian President Lula da Silva criticizing the relationship as a dominant U.S. role that undermines Venezuelan sovereignty [2].
Domestic and Human Rights Context
While diplomatic channels open, concerns regarding democratic processes persist among observers and activists [5]. On 23 September 2026, Venezuelans protested outside the UN headquarters in New York, calling on world leaders not to normalize relations with what they describe as an illegitimate government [3]. Additionally, a UN mission warned on 14 September 2026 that despite some improvements, structural mechanisms facilitating crimes against humanity in Venezuela remain intact [1]. Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are awaiting trial scheduled for June 2027 on narcotics and weapons charges, having unsuccessfully argued for presidential immunity [1].