Delcy Rodríguez approaches Pedro Sánchez for brief exchange at UN General Assembly

Impromptu encounter on the plenary floor

Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez crossed the plenary hall of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday morning to greet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Both delegations were seated in the seventh row but were separated by seven other delegations across four seating columns, roughly 23 meters apart in a straight line. Rodríguez walked approximately 50 meters and 75 steps across the floor, passing the delegations of 31 nations including Germany, France, Egypt, Argentina, and North Korea.

Sánchez was speaking on his mobile phone when Rodríguez reached the Spanish seating area. After ending the call, Sánchez stood briefly to exchange handshakes and traditional cheek greetings before sitting back down while Rodríguez remained standing. Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen and Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares were seated beside Sánchez during the interaction, which concluded after roughly 33 seconds.

Bilateral dialogue and future talks

During the encounter, Rodríguez asked Sánchez to maintain open communication and continue discussions regarding the political situation in Venezuela. The Spanish government confirmed that Sánchez agreed to future dialogue and stated Spain's position regarding the country.

Spain is committed to the future of the region.

Following the conversation, Rodríguez also exchanged brief remarks with Albares and Aagesen. Spanish government officials evaluated the unannounced approach positively, though they noted that no formal bilateral meeting is currently scheduled between Sánchez and Rodríguez during their stay in New York.

Sequence of diplomatic contacts in 2026

The interaction at the UN plenary marked the first in-person meeting between Sánchez and Rodríguez since she assumed the Venezuelan presidency. The two leaders had previously spoken by telephone on two occasions following the military operation that led to the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro.

Their initial telephone conversation took place on 9 January 2026, when Sánchez conveyed Spanish support for a peaceful, negotiated, and democratic transition, while Rodríguez proposed developing a broad bilateral agenda. A second phone call occurred on 25 June 2026 following earthquakes in Venezuela, during which Sánchez offered Spanish humanitarian assistance and expressed solidarity with affected families. Rodríguez may also travel to Spain on 4 and 5 November 2026 to attend the Ibero-American Summit scheduled in Madrid.

Diplomatic developments at the General Assembly

Rodríguez attended the opening session accompanied by Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, who holds dual Spanish and Venezuelan citizenship, and First Vice Minister of Foreign Relations Oliver Blanco, who joined the administration from Venezuelan opposition ranks in July. The encounter unfolded during an address by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and shortly before a speech by United States President Donald Trump.

Trump addressed the plenary with strict warnings directed at Venezuelan and Cuban governance, stating that the United States would continue pressing for democratic transition.

To the victor belong the spoils.

The Cuban delegation departed the plenary during Trump's address, while Maduro remained detained in a New York prison facility 263 days after his removal from power. Spanish officials maintained that institutional channels with Caracas remain functional to protect Spanish interests in Latin America.