Trump and Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez discuss debt restructuring in first meeting

President Trump and Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez discussed restructuring Venezuela's debt during their first meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday. Rubio called the debt restructuring "key" for Venezuela's economic recovery and political transition. The meeting occurred at a New York hotel during an official reception for leaders attending the UN General Assembly. Rubio described it as "short, but important," adding that the U.S. wants to help "in the right way." Venezuela's sovereign debt is estimated at $164 billion as of late 2024, according to Transparencia Venezuela. Venezuela broke relations with the International Monetary Fund in 2019 and only recently resumed them, leaving macroeconomic data provisional. Rodríguez assumed power in January following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.