Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez appointed several ministers Monday and met with the United States’ senior diplomat in Caracas to discuss the country’s ongoing political transition following the departure of Nicolas Maduro.
Laura Dogu, the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Venezuela, said in a post on X that she met with Rodriguez to discuss American plans for “stabilisation, economic recovery, reconciliation and transition.” Dogu did not elaborate on what the U.S. defines as “transition.”
Maduro had led Venezuela since 2013 until U.S. forces entered the country and detained him last month. Many senior figures from his administration remain in government.
Following the meeting, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said future diplomatic engagement with the U.S. would focus on “addressing the differences and historical controversies” between the two countries. He said the talks included energy, trade, and political issues.
Rodriguez also appointed Felix Plasencia, formerly Venezuela’s foreign minister, to lead the country’s diplomatic mission in Washington.
“Very soon we’ll have our diplomatic representative, Felix Plasencia, in Washington to accelerate diplomatic work, political work, and the work of developing our common agenda,” Gil said.
The appointment marks a shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which were formally severed in 2019 after Washington refused to recognize Maduro’s reelection, instead backing opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
Rodriguez also named Daniella Cabello, daughter of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, as tourism minister. Her father previously held significant influence in Maduro’s administration and has publicly endorsed Rodriguez’s leadership.
Rodriguez assumed power last month following Maduro’s removal in a U.S. operation. Diosdado Cabello pledged security forces’ support for the new administration after Maduro was taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
The appointments follow recent military leadership changes. Rodriguez replaced several senior commanders and dismissed industry minister Alex Saab, a Maduro ally.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Monday she would be open to meeting with Rodriguez to discuss a potential timeline for political transition.
“If it’s necessary to exchange ideas in a meeting to define a transition timeline, it will happen,” Machado said during a video call. However, she added, “They may have another name, but they are the mafia.”
