Trump told reporters he plans to “make a visit to Venezuela,” though no date has been set, calling relations with the interim Venezuelan leadership “very good” amid growing cooperation, especially in the energy sector.
The announcement marks a potential reset in Washington-Caracas relations, which collapsed in 2019 amid sanctions and diplomatic rupture. Trump’s comments come after US officials, including the Energy Secretary, visited Caracas to discuss oil industry cooperation and easing select sanctions.
If the trip happens, Trump would be the first sitting US president to visit Venezuela since Bill Clinton traveled there in 1997, underscoring a rare moment of rapprochement after years of hostility.
Trump’s outreach follows a dramatic sequence of events in Venezuela, including the ousting earlier this year of Nicolás Maduro in a US military operation and the recognition of interim president Delcy Rodríguez by American officials.
Supporters of the policy shift highlight economic opportunities tied to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and energy cooperation. Critics, however, warn the approach glosses over democratic and human rights concerns and could face domestic and international pushback.
The White House has not yet provided a date for the planned visit, and discussions are ongoing about logistics and diplomatic protocol.