Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's acting president, is set to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, seeking to bolster her legitimacy and ease the country's isolation since 2018. Her trip to New York includes meetings with top officials, such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. Rodríguez's legitimacy is questioned due to her unelected position, but she has garnered support from unexpected backer, former US President Donald Trump.
Rodríguez's meetings with international leaders aim to revive diplomatic relations and cooperation. She met with Trump on the sidelines of the General Assembly, discussing bilateral relations and strategic areas like energy, mining, and security. This marks a significant shift from her previous stance, where she accused Washington of imposing "state terrorism" through sanctions. Rodríguez's trip follows Maduro's capture by US soldiers and Venezuela's reactivation of consular relations with several countries.
Trump's support for Rodríguez is seen as a strategic move, with Venezuela presenting a foreign-policy victory for the former president. He has emphasized his role in overseeing Venezuela and touted the agreement with private energy company Nabep to access 65 billion barrels of oil from Venezuelan reserves. This display of dominance contrasts with his challenges in other international conflicts, such as the war with Iran and the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.
Rodríguez's efforts to present herself as a reliable partner have raised questions about Washington's support for her unelected government. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has criticized the relationship between Washington and Caracas, stating that Trump plays a "very dominant role" over Venezuela and that the country's sovereignty is compromised. Lula da Silva suggested that Rodríguez should call national elections to determine Venezuela's political direction.
The Venezuelan opposition, led by María Corina Machado, has faced challenges in returning to the country. Machado's spokesman reported that she made three attempts to return to Venezuela while Rodríguez was away but was refused entry. Rodríguez's government has maintained control of the state apparatus, and there are no signs of change in the near future.
Rodríguez's address to the UN General Assembly is highly anticipated, with many expecting her to invoke the principle of sovereignty and defend Chavismo's political identity. For years, Chavismo relied on condemnation of imperialism to construct its identity, but Rodríguez's approach has shifted, particularly in light of Washington's revival of the Monroe Doctrine and deportation initiatives affecting the Venezuelan community.
The outcome of Rodríguez's efforts remains uncertain, with many questioning whether Washington's support can overcome concerns about her legitimacy. Her speech at the UN General Assembly will be closely watched, as she seeks to navigate Venezuela's complex relationships with international partners and opposition forces.
Key points
- Delcy Rodríguez's legitimacy is questioned due to her unelected position as Venezuela's acting president.
- Rodríguez has garnered support from former US President Donald Trump, who sees Venezuela as a foreign-policy victory.
- The international community remains divided on recognizing Rodríguez's government, with some leaders, like Brazil's Lula da Silva, calling for national elections to determine Venezuela's political direction.
