Trump Lauds 'Terrific' New Venezuela Leader Delcy Rodriguez After 'Long Call'

• US President Donald Trump announced a "long call" with Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez, marking their first known contact since Nicolas Maduro's ouster.
• Trump described Rodriguez as a "terrific person" and stated they discussed oil, minerals, trade, and national security, indicating "tremendous progress."
• Rodriguez, who took over after Maduro's capture, is navigating demands from Trump for oil access while trying to maintain support from Maduro loyalists.
• She described the call as "productive and courteous," focusing on a "bilateral work agenda" and a "new political era" for Venezuela.
• Venezuela has released dozens of political prisoners under US pressure, though numbers vary between government claims (406) and NGOs (180, AFP 70).

Why It Matters: Trump and Venezuela's new interim leader Delcy Rodriguez held a productive call, discussing key issues and a new political era.