Venezuelan and Colombian leaders meet for first time since Maduro's removal from power

(25 Apr 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caracas, Venezuela - 24 April 2026
1. Colombian President Gustavo Petro walking alongside Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil outside Venezuela’s presidential palace
2. Petro greeting Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez
3. Various of Petro and Rodriguez at meeting
4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Delcy Rodriguez, acting president of Venezuela:
“We have talked about electric connection for western Venezuela, which is a priority at the moment. The west of the country suffers from disinvestment in the electrical system, as a product of sanctions that have affected the maintenance and production of spare parts for our national electric system.”
5. Various of Venezuelan and Colombia foreign ministers signing agreements
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Delcy Rodriguez, acting president of Venezuela:
“We have also agreed on interconnection of gas, so that we can not only bring gas towards Colombia but also export gas to other countries. So electrical and gas connections are part of what was discussed.”
7. Rodriguez and Petro arriving at meeting
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia:
“We agree of making a joint effort to free the people of the border from gangs, dedicated to diverse illegal activities, starting with cocaine, illegal gold, human trafficking, and other activities so that the border be only for the people."
9. Various of Petro and Rodriguez at meeting
10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia:
"The human brotherhood begins with neighbours, you cannot build a brotherhood if the neighbours enter in conflict, in violence, in war."
11. Petro and Rodriguez greeting goodbye
12. Rodriguez standing outside presidential palace
STORYLINE:
Colombian President Gustavo Petro met Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas on Friday, their first meeting since the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.

The talks focused on energy cooperation and security along the countries’ shared border, long affected by drug trafficking and armed groups.

“We have talked about electric connection for western Venezuela, which is a priority at the moment,” said Rodriguez.

She added that both countries were also looking at gas interconnection projects that could expand exports beyond Colombia.

Security was another key issue, with Petro calling for joint action against criminal networks operating along the border.

“We agree on making a joint effort to free the people of the border from gangs,” he said.

The meeting came as both governments seek to rebuild trade and coordination after years of strained relations.

AP video shot by Juan Arraez

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