A request from Delcy Rodríguez to travel to Washington next Tuesday has opened an unprecedented diplomatic scenario between the United States and Venezuela, coinciding with direct moves on the ground by the Donald Trump administration following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
According to sources within the U.S. administration directly familiar with the matter, Rodríguez has requested a series of political meetings in the capital, with an expectation of being received at the White House. The request has been received by various offices within the federal government, though no official meetings have been confirmed, nor has a final decision been made regarding her agenda.
The process is in a preliminary phase and subject to several layers of review. The request involves travel on a diplomatic flight from Venezuela, a standard procedure for official travel. However, the context is exceptional: formal bilateral relations have been absent since Donald Trump refused to recognize the Maduro regime in 2019. Furthermore, Rodríguez is subject to U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, requiring a specific license or temporary exemption from the Treasury Department for any travel to the U.S. Without this authorization, entry into U.S. territory would be impossible. Sources emphasize that simply opening the file does not guarantee acceptance, and Washington is also evaluating the political timing and internal implications of authorizing or denying the visit.
Following reports of Rodríguez’s request, the Venezuelan government stated, according to Efe, that a trip abroad by the acting president was not currently planned.
Rodríguez’s move coincides with a significant parallel action by the U.S. administration. On Friday, a small delegation of U.S. diplomats and security officials arrived in Venezuela to assess the potential reopening of the U.S. embassy in Caracas. According to the State Department, the team is evaluating security conditions, operational viability, and the political feasibility of a return after years of closure. This marks the first official trip of its kind since the breakdown in relations and signals Washington’s willingness to explore a new phase.
The Venezuelan government acknowledged the delegation’s arrival and announced it would send a mission to the United States to initiate an exploratory process toward re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries. In a statement, the government led by Delcy Rodríguez indicated it has decided to open a dialogue channel with Washington for this purpose, without detailing dates or the composition of the delegation. This exchange represents a significant shift after years of sanctions, indirect contacts, and discreet mediations.
The request for Rodríguez’s travel takes on an additional political dimension. Sources indicate she anticipates being received at both the White House and by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rodríguez reportedly based her approach on conditions Rubio has publicly and privately proposed: cooperation on migration, political openings, verifiable commitments in the institutional sphere, and control of the oil sector. However, Washington has not formally endorsed this framework or offered guarantees of direct engagement at the highest level.
María Corina’s Travel
The timing adds complexity. On Thursday evening, Donald Trump publicly stated that opposition leader María Corina Machado will arrive in Washington next week and that he looks forward to seeing her. If both agendas materialize, Rodríguez and Machado would be in the U.S. capital simultaneously, a recent and politically sensitive development. The White House views this potential coincidence as a strategy to explore simultaneous avenues with opposing actors in Venezuela, without yet offering explicit support.
Sources recall that Rodríguez and her circle, including her brother Jorge Rodríguez, have maintained discreet contacts with figures close to Trump for years, including Richard Grenell, with whom exploratory exchanges have occurred since 2020 through informal channels. These discussions have included proposals for restructuring power in Caracas, with Rodríguez as a central figure backed by civilian and military allies. None of these options have been officially endorsed by the United States, sources insist.
A Tentative Move
The U.S. delegation’s arrival in Caracas and Rodríguez’s request to travel to Washington are part of the same exploratory movement. The administration stresses that these are exploratory gestures, not final decisions. Reopening an embassy, partially lifting sanctions, or recognizing political interlocutors requires gradual, verifiable steps and faces internal resistance in Washington.
The White House and the State Department declined to comment on visa requests, sanctions exemptions, or ongoing diplomatic contacts, citing the usual practice of not confirming sensitive matters. There was also no immediate response from Rodríguez’s circle. For now, the United States is proceeding with caution, combining measured diplomatic gestures with strict control over timing, aware that any misstep in Venezuela carries a high political cost both domestically and internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Delcy Rodríguez to request a trip to Washington?
According to sources, Rodríguez requested a series of political meetings in Washington, with the expectation of being received at the White House.
What is the status of U.S.-Venezuela relations?
Formal bilateral relations have been absent since 2019, when the Trump administration refused to recognize the Maduro regime.
What is the U.S. administration’s current stance on re-establishing diplomatic ties with Venezuela?
The administration describes its actions as exploratory gestures, not final decisions, emphasizing the need for gradual, verifiable steps and internal consensus.
Given these unfolding developments, what level of engagement do you anticipate between the U.S. and Venezuela in the coming months?
