Venezuela's Rodríguez Cancels Colombia Visit Before Arrival

Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power in January 2023 following Nicolás Maduro's capture by U.S. forces, abruptly canceled her first international trip to Colombia, which was set to take place in Cúcuta. The visit was intended to facilitate a meeting with Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

Preparations for the event, including the erection of a stage in Cúcuta, were dismantled without any official explanation for the cancellation. Rodríguez's government has been accused of pushing Colombian rebel groups back across the border, a claim that Caracas denies.

The planned meeting was seen as a step towards improving strained relations between Venezuela and Colombia. Rodríguez is pursuing significant reforms, including opening Venezuela's oil industry to foreign investment and releasing political prisoners.

The visit's cancellation comes amid ongoing discussions about international interest in the region, with U.S. President Donald Trump having previously expressed a desire to meet with Petro.