Delcy Rodríguez, sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president following the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro on U.S. drug-trafficking charges, has extended an invitation to Washington for cooperation, signaling a potential thaw after years of hostility.

In her first cabinet meeting and a statement posted on Telegram and Instagram, Rodríguez reaffirmed commitment to “peaceful coexistence” based on “sovereign equality” and international law. “We extend an invitation to the U.S. government to work together on a cooperation agenda,” she said, stressing shared development goals.

The overture follows Operation Southern Spear, the U.S.-led strikes that led to Maduro’s swift extradition. Rodríguez—longtime foreign minister and oil expert—is positioning herself as a pragmatic bridge.

Observers note her experience could facilitate talks on energy and trade, especially amid President Donald Trump’s demands for “full access” to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

Trump responded cautiously but firmly: “We’ll see – but they better cooperate fully on oil and resources, or there’s a big price to pay.” Regional leaders, including Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, urged dialogue to avoid escalation.

The Supreme Court of Venezuela has validated Rodríguez’s interim role, with elections promised within months. Critics accuse the U.S. of orchestrating regime change, while supporters hail the transition as the end of dictatorship.