Venezuela's acting president hails new phase in US ties

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez hailed a new phase in relations with the United States, saying Caracas seeks to rebuild diplomatic and cooperative ties with Washington.

“Today, Venezuela is being reborn, and that is why today Venezuela seeks to rebuild and build relations of cooperation with the US, with its neighbors, and with all countries of the international community,” Rodriguez said Wednesday in an address to the UN General Assembly.

“I want to thank (US President) Donald Trump and his administration for returning to the path of diplomatic relations with Venezuela,” she added.

Rodriguez highlighted a recently signed bilateral agreement between Caracas and Washington, describing it as “one of the largest ever concluded” and saying it would contribute to the energy balance in the Western Hemisphere and the global economy.

The remarks came as Caracas and Washington have moved toward greater engagement following years of strained relations and US sanctions against Venezuela.

Washington suspended embassy operations in Caracas in 2019 and imposed sanctions targeting the Venezuelan government and state oil company PDVSA.

Rodriguez said Venezuela had faced “two major and painful trials” in 2026, citing what she described as the “strangulation” of the country's domestic political life and heightened confrontation with the US.

She also cited the twin earthquakes that struck the country on June 24 as a second major challenge.

Rodriguez also addressed Venezuela’s territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana, reaffirming Caracas' “historic rights” over Guayana Esequiba.

She called on Guyana to resolve the dispute and return to negotiations under the Geneva Agreement.

“The agreements that endure the longest are those reached through bilateral negotiations rather than through external organizations,” she said.