Trump Praises Venezuelan Interim President Following First Direct Call
In a significant political development, a phone call described as "warm and productive" marked the beginning of a new chapter in relations between Washington and Caracas. U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez exchanged words of praise and respect during their first direct contact since the ousting and arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro.
Rodríguez, who assumed the interim presidency in early January, stated that her conversation with Trump was "long, productive, and courteous," confirming on the messaging app Telegram that it took place "in a spirit of mutual respect," according to the news agency AFP.
This call comes just days after an unprecedented event in which former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was arrested by U.S. forces on January 3 and brought to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
Maduro and his wife are currently being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn after appearing in a U.S. court last week, where they pleaded not guilty to all charges. The next court hearing is scheduled for March 17.
Trump expressed his admiration for the tone of the call, stating in remarks to reporters from the Oval Office that he had a "long and excellent" conversation with Rodríguez, whom he referred to as a "wonderful person."
He added, "We discussed many things, and I believe we have a good understanding with Venezuela."
Earlier on Wednesday, Rodríguez confirmed that her country is working towards a "new political era," indicating the interim government's clear desire to reshape Venezuela's foreign relations, particularly with the United States, after years of tensions and sanctions.
The call, which carried an unusually positive tone from both sides, has been viewed by observers as an initial sign of a potential shift in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, given the significant internal changes occurring in Caracas and the serious legal issues facing its former president in Washington.
