Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez Makes First International Trip to Grenada to Bolster Ties
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez arrived in the island nation of Grenada on Thursday, April 9, 2026, marking her first official diplomatic journey since assuming leadership. The visit comes as the interim administration seeks to stabilize regional alliances following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by United States forces on January 3.
Rodríguez was received with full honors at the Maurice Bishop International Airport in Saint George by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell. The office of the Prime Minister described the visit as a “significant moment of engagement and dialogue,” emphasizing the need to explore mutual interests and foster partnerships that support regional development. This first trip as interim president signals a concerted effort by Caracas to maintain its diplomatic footprint in the Caribbean.
The diplomatic agenda included a courtesy call to Governor General Cécile La Grenade and an expanded working session at the Grenadian Parliament. During these meetings, Rodríguez met with Senate President Dessima Williams and House of Representatives President Leo Cato. The Venezuelan delegation included Foreign Minister Yván Gil, Hydrocarbons Minister Paula Henao, and Vice Minister for the Caribbean Raúl LiCausi.
Central to the discussions was the update of a bilateral roadmap originally established in 2025. While Rodríguez noted that the reviewed agreements cover science, education, energy, hydrocarbons, and trade, Prime Minister Mitchell specified that talks focused on strengthening cooperation in logistics, transport, tourism, and agriculture. The two governments intend to develop a joint bathymetric study.
The strengthening of cooperation occurs against a backdrop of regional tension. Prior to the U.S. Operation in Caracas, Washington had requested that Grenada host a military radar at the Maurice Bishop International Airport. The Grenadian government ultimately rejected the proposal, a decision supported by citizens who held a “March for Peace” to keep the island neutral in regional conflicts.
The arrival of the acting president underscores the strategic importance of Grenada—located roughly 145 kilometers from the Venezuelan coast—as a diplomatic partner for the interim government during this volatile transition period.
Further details regarding the specific terms of the updated trade and energy agreements were not disclosed during the visit. This diplomatic push follows approximately 90 days of interim leadership under Rodríguez, who has likewise faced internal pressure in Venezuela, including workers demanding minimum wage increases.
