Friday meeting between Colombian President Petro and Venezuela acting president Rodriguez canceled - source in Colombia president’s office

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez and Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced plans for a bilateral meeting to address security, economic, and energy cooperation, according to statements from both leaders. Rodriguez emphasized the commitment to fostering “understanding and shared benefits for the wellbeing of our peoples” in an Instagram post, while Petro highlighted energy and infrastructure collaboration during remarks in La Guajira, Colombia’s northern border region according to joint statements. The meeting, though not yet scheduled, reflects broader efforts to strengthen cross-border ties amid complex regional dynamics, including the migration of nearly three million Venezuelans to Colombia as reported.

Rodriguez, appointed acting president following the U.S.-led removal of former leader Nicolás Maduro, has prioritized economic reforms, including opening Venezuela’s nationalized oil sector to foreign investment—a policy aligned with U.S. interests according to analysis. Meanwhile, Petro has sought to normalize relations with Venezuela’s left-leaning government since 2022, despite tensions over the 2024 election, which Colombia rejected as illegitimate according to reports.

Recent diplomatic developments in Venezuela include visits from U.S. military officials, Qatar’s prime minister, and the first Trump administration cabinet member to Caracas. These engagements signal a shift in Venezuela’s international engagement after years of U.S. sanctions. However, Rodriguez’s leadership remains contested, with critics questioning her legitimacy due to her prior role as Maduro’s vice president and the absence of an elected mandate according to analysis.

No further details about the timing or agenda of the Petro-Rodriguez meeting have been disclosed.