Venezuelan delegation in New York seeks debt, energy deals

Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez arrived in New York on Monday for talks with US counterparts on energy, debt and mining matters. The delegation aims to discuss agreements as part of President Donald Trump's plans to revitalize Venezuela's industries and restore access to overseas assets and financing. Rodriguez met with Inter-American Development Bank president Ilan Goldfajn, International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva, and World Bank president Ajay Banga.

The focus of the trip is on debt restructuring and securing funds and payments for Venezuela, which announced plans to restructure between US$150 billion and US$200 billion of sovereign debt and state oil company PDVSA's debt in May. The IDB is preparing a two-year engagement plan for Venezuela, focusing on electricity and social protection.

Discussions with the IMF centered on earthquake recovery and reconstruction. Some Venezuela-owned buildings in New York have recently been renovated for reopening. The delegation's visit is timed with planned meetings between Rodriguez and US President Trump, who will meet the Venezuelan leader on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the US President.