Venezuela's Acting President Pledges Democratic Transition, Thanks Trump at UN Podium

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez Gómez used Venezuela's slot at the 81st United Nations General Assembly to announce what she called a process of democratic transition — including future elections, judicial reform, and dialogue with the opposition — while publicly thanking President Donald Trump for restoring diplomatic ties severed more than 15 years ago. The wide-ranging address, delivered Sept. 23, 2026, also covered earthquake recovery, energy security, territorial claims and artificial intelligence governance.

• Venezuela announces democratic transition with promised elections, judicial overhaul, and political dialogue with opposition forces
• Rodríguez thanks Trump for resuming diplomatic relations and touts new US-Venezuela energy agreement as one of the most significant ever signed
• June 24 double earthquake described as one of Venezuela's darkest hours; acting president appeals for continued international solidarity
• Territorial claim reasserted over Guyana-Esequiba, with call for Guyana to return to bilateral negotiations
• Energy and AI positions staked out: Venezuela warns against forced decarbonization timelines and calls for citizen-centered AI governance

The centerpiece of Acting President Delcy Rodríguez Gómez's nearly 20-minute address was a formal announcement that Venezuela has embarked on what she described as an orderly democratic transition — a phrase rarely heard from Venezuelan leadership in recent years.