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Trump Meets Interim Venezuela President on Debt, Elections

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Trump discusses Venezuelan debt

U.S. President Donald Trump said he spoke with interim President Delcy Rodriguez about U.S. elections.
They met on UN General Assembly sidelines.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said they discussed restructuring Venezuela's billions of dollars in sovereign debt.
Rodriguez said elections would occur during a transition to “full democracy” without a date.

Summary

IADB approves loan

Inter-American Development Bank is working to approve a $2.5 billion loan for Venezuela.
Venezuela announced in May it will begin restructuring its external debt, defaulted since 2017.
Analysts estimate total liabilities could reach $150-200 billion, far above the $60 billion defaulted bonds.
U.S. sanctions imposed in 2017 largely shut Venezuela out of Western financial markets.
Some U.S. lawmakers have urged free and fair elections despite the administration’s debt-focused agenda.

History

Historical Context

The 11 April 2002 coup briefly removed President Hugo Chávez, installing businessman Pedro Carmona for 47 hours before mass protests forced his resignation and Chávez’s return on 14 April. The OAS condemned the interruption of constitutional order, while the United States, after initially hesitating, denounced the takeover. This episode cemented a pattern of U.S.–Venezuela tension over legitimacy and sanctions.

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Trump discusses Venezuelan debt

U.S. President Donald Trump said he spoke with interim President Delcy Rodriguez about U.S. elections.
They met on UN General Assembly sidelines.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said they discussed restructuring Venezuela's billions of dollars in sovereign debt.
Rodriguez said elections would occur during a transition to “full democracy” without a date.

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