A Venezuelan delegation led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez arrived in New York on Monday, September 21, to participate in the United Nations General Assembly and launch discussions regarding energy, debt restructuring, and mining issues with United States counterparties, according to officials and sources cited by The Edge Malaysia.
The diplomatic visit marks Rodriguez’s first trip to the United States since she assumed office as interim president in January under Washington’s oversight. John Barrett, the top US diplomat in Venezuela, received Rodriguez and her team at the airport, according to Venezuelan state television reporting cited by The Edge Malaysia. The talks are designed to support plans by US President Donald Trump to rebuild Venezuela’s key industries while helping Rodriguez’s government regain control of overseas assets and secure access to financing.
Financial and Debt Restructuring Talks at International Institutions
During her initial schedule in New York, Rodriguez met with leaders of major international financial institutions in separate meetings. According to state TV and sources cited by The Edge Malaysia, she held discussions with Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
“Her visit will have a big focus on debt restructuring, funds and payments,” an anonymous source told The Edge Malaysia. In May, Venezuela announced plans to restructure its sovereign debt and the obligations of state oil company PDVSA, with most analysts estimating the total debt burden between $150 billion and $200 billion. Legal and financial advisers launched a committee last month to organize companies holding outstanding claims against Venezuela to secure representation in upcoming negotiations.
Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn told Reuters—as reported by The Edge Malaysia—that the IDB is drawing up a two-year engagement plan focused on electricity and social protection. This effort includes dispatching missions to examine Venezuela’s macroeconomic framework and data while estimating investment needs across different sectors. Meanwhile, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated on social media that discussions with the fund concentrated on earthquake recovery and reconstruction efforts in Venezuela.
Separate from the institutional financial talks, the Venezuelan government and a faction of the opposition are nearing an agreement to move approximately $4 billion in gold from the Bank of England to the United States, according to sources cited by The Edge Malaysia earlier in the month.
United Nations Engagement and Bilateral Meetings
Rodriguez met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres late Monday afternoon. According to a United Nations statement reported by The Edge Malaysia, the discussion covered economic reforms, debt restructuring, political dialogue initiatives, and cooperation on human rights and the path toward a full democracy.
Concurrently, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Felix Plasencia met with UK officials to discuss democratic transition, human rights, and recovery efforts following earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this year, according to UK Minister for the Americas Chris Elmore, as reported by The Edge Malaysia. Plasencia subsequently held talks with Juan Pablo Segura, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
“US companies can continue to power Venezuela’s economic recovery, help restore investor confidence, and deliver jobs and energy dominance for the American people,” Segura posted on X, in statements cited by The Edge Malaysia.
Schedule and Diplomatic Outlook
Venezuelan ministers and senior officials spent months advancing negotiations ahead of Rodriguez’s arrival in New York. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz announced during a recent press briefing call, cited by The Edge Malaysia, that Rodriguez is scheduled to meet President Trump on Tuesday on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the US President.
Ahead of these high-level diplomatic engagements, several Venezuela-owned properties in New York that had been shut for years—including a consulate and the office of the country’s UN mission—have undergone recent renovations to prepare for their reopening, according to media reports cited by The Edge Malaysia. Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs and Information ministries did not immediately reply to requests for comment regarding the meetings.
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