The US president has promised a “spectacular” partnership on oil and national security
US President Donald Trump and Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez held a lengthy phone conversation on Wednesday, marking the first known direct contact between the two leaders since the US military captured former President Nicolas Maduro.
The call, described by both sides as positive and productive, follows weeks of tension after the January 3 raid that killed at least 80 people, including members of the Venezuelan military, Maduro’s Cuban security staff, and civilians.
“We had a call, a long call. We discussed a lot of things, and I think we’re getting along very well with Venezuela,” Trump told reporters, praising Rodriguez as a “terrific person.”
In a separate Truth Social post, Trump stated that “tremendous progress” was being made and specifically mentioned “Oil, Minerals, Trade and, of course, National Security” as topics discussed.
“This partnership between the United States of America and Venezuela will be a spectacular one FOR ALL. Venezuela will soon be great and prosperous again, perhaps more so than ever before!” he added.
Rodriguez characterized the talk as “long, productive and courteous” and said they discussed a bilateral agenda aimed at benefiting both countries. The dialogue represents a shift in tone, after Rodriguez initially declared defiantly that no “foreign agent” would control Venezuela or turn it into a “colony.”
The Trump administration has made clear that securing control over Venezuelan oil production and exports is the central pillar of its strategy. The US military and Coast Guard have intercepted at least five vessels in recent weeks, and Washington is reportedly pursuing court warrants to seize dozens more tankers suspected of transporting Venezuelan oil without its authorization.
After Maduro’s capture, Trump said Washington would “run” Venezuela during a transition and needs “total access… to the oil and to other things in their country.” US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that Washington intends to control Venezuela’s oil sales “indefinitely,” first marketing stored crude and then managing future production, with revenues flowing into US-controlled accounts. US officials argue this control is necessary to stabilize Venezuela’s economy and ensure it acts in both American and Venezuelan interests.