Delcy Rodríguez approaches Sánchez in the middle of the UN Assembly to keep the dialogue on Venezuela open

Delcy Rodríguez has risen from her seat in the United Nations General Assembly and walked across the room to where the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, was located. He was on the phone when the Venezuelan leader arrived at his side. Rodríguez made a gesture to wait, but Sánchez ended the call and both greeted each other before conversing for a few moments. Alongside the president were Vice President Sara Aagesen and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

Rodríguez asked him to continue talking about the situation in Venezuela. According to Moncloa, Sánchez replied "of course" and assured her that Spain is "committed to the future of the region." The exchange was brief and took place in full view of the other delegations. The Spanish government has not announced a bilateral meeting between the two during their stay in New York.

The dialogue after Maduro's capture

This is the first known in-person conversation between Sánchez and Rodríguez since she assumed the interim presidency of Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro's capture by US forces in January. Maduro remains detained in New York awaiting trial. His departure from power opened a period of international contacts for Caracas, although demands for a democratic transition and guarantees for the opposition remain on the table.

Sánchez and Rodríguez had already spoken by phone on January 9. The Spanish president then conveyed his support for a peaceful, negotiated transition led by Venezuelans themselves. That same day he also spoke with Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate in the controversial 2024 presidential elections. These contacts with both parties help to understand the position Madrid is trying to maintain: to speak with whoever governs in Caracas and, at the same time, demand a democratic solution.

The second call between Sánchez and Rodríguez came in June, after the earthquakes suffered by Venezuela. Spain offered aid and expressed its solidarity with the victims. Tuesday's greeting at the UN has continued these conversations, although no agreement has yet been announced on the country's next steps.

The internal Venezuelan situation continues to weigh on any negotiation. The European Union demands the release of political prisoners who remain incarcerated and guarantees for an open political process. Human rights organizations recognize that some releases have occurred under the Rodríguez government, but warn that detentions and repressive structures persist.

Madrid, next date on the calendar

The other issue surrounding the greeting is the Ibero-American Summit scheduled in Madrid for November 4 and 5. Spain has invited Rodríguez to participate, although her attendance remains unconfirmed. The event would give the Spanish government another opportunity to speak with Caracas in a forum where other countries in the region will also be present.

There is also a specific diplomatic difficulty. Rodríguez remains subject to personal sanctions from the European Union, including an entry restriction. Albares has shown himself to be in favor of Brussels reviewing these measures now that he holds the acting Presidency, but the decision rests with the member states. European regulations also contemplate exceptions for certain international commitments, so the sanctions do not by themselves prevent her trip to Madrid from being considered.

Interest in Venezuela goes beyond Spain. The United States maintains contacts with Caracas on economic and energy issues while Rodríguez seeks interlocutors in other international forums. Madrid wants to maintain a channel of dialogue linked to its relations with Latin America and the common European position. After today's conversation, there is still no formal meeting announced between Sánchez and Rodríguez in New York, nor a confirmation that she will attend the November summit.