Trump says he will visit Venezuela amid ‘very good’ relationship with interim president
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
US President Donald Trump said: “The relationship we have right now with Venezuela – I would say is a 10.”
PHOTO: AFP
- President Trump called the US-Venezuela relationship "very good," planning a visit and praising interim leader Delcy Rodriguez for oil cooperation.
- Trump's remarks contradict prior administration statements that the US did not recognise Rodriguez's interim government as legitimate.
- US Energy Secretary Chris Wright called Rodriguez "interim president," but Rodriguez maintains Nicolas Maduro is the "legitimate president."
AI generated
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Feb 13 said the United States relationship with Venezuela is “very good” and that he plans to visit the country.
Mr Trump’s praise for Venezuela’s interim leader, Ms Delcy Rodriguez, follows the US capture of toppled Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro
“I’m going to make a visit to Venezuela,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House, although he did not share any additional details.
“We have a very good relationship with the president of Venezuela,” Mr Trump said, noting the United States is “working together very closely” with Ms Rodriguez on access to oil.
“The relationship we have right now with Venezuela – I would say is a 10,” Mr Trump added.
Asked by Reuters if he will recognise Ms Rodriguez as the official government, Mr Trump responded: “Yeah, we have done that. We are dealing with them, and really right now, they have done a great job.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the official US stance towards Ms Rodriguez’s government has changed.
Trump administration officials in recent weeks made clear that the US did not recognise Ms Rodriguez’s interim government
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Venezuela on Feb 12 said Ms Rodriguez is the “interim president” working with the United States.
Mr Wright, in a CNN interview, said the US will not “tell Delcy what her future role” is in potential future elections, calling that decision up to the Venezuelan people.
For her part, Ms Rodriguez, in an NBC News interview this week, called Mr Maduro the “legitimate president” of Venezuela. REUTERS
