Venezuelan VP hosts U.S. Congressional delegation to discuss bilateral agenda

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez welcomed a U.S. Congressional delegation to Caracas on Friday, signaling a continued effort to mend bilateral ties. The meeting focused on the shared agenda, defense, and border security.

Images broadcast by state television showed Rodríguez meeting with Representatives Brian Mast, Randy Fine, Kat Cammack, and Jonathan Jackson. This visit is the first by U.S. House members since diplomatic relations were re-established in March. The delegation is also scheduled to engage with officials from the Ministry of Defense and the National Anti-Drug Superintendency to discuss cooperation against transnational crime and border security.

Participating in the discussions were the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Venezuela, John Barrett, along with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia and Vice Minister for Europe and North America, Oliver Blanco. This engagement follows previous high-level meetings, including Rodríguez's March reception of representatives from the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which VTV described as part of a "peace dialogue."

Rodríguez's press team stated the visit was "technical and political," aimed at continuing the established "roadmap" between the two nations. This roadmap prioritizes direct communication to manage historical differences and bolster energy cooperation amid global challenges. Since Rodríguez assumed executive duties, Venezuela and the U.S. have pursued a rapprochement, with Caracas hosting several U.S. officials, including the Secretaries of Energy and Interior.