Colombian president becomes first leader to visit post-Maduro Venezuela for security talks

Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived Friday in Venezuela to hold a meeting with Acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

The visit is the first time a foreign head of state has traveled to the Venezuelan capital since the Jan. 3 US military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro.

The meeting signals a significant warming of relations, as Petro, who initially described Maduro's detention as a “kidnapping,” seeks to stabilize the 1,240-mile shared border and integrate the two economies under Venezuela's new temporary leadership.

Border security dominated the agenda as both leaders emphasized that the transition in Caracas will not slow efforts to dismantle drug-trafficking groups.

Rodriguez confirmed that the two nations agreed to develop joint military plans and immediate intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

"Drug trafficking groups should know that we are taking decisive steps to combat these crimes," Rodriguez said from Miraflores Palace, or the president’s house. "Both countries have agreed to establish mechanisms for gathering intelligence immediately."

Beyond security, the delegations finalized the third meeting of the Colombian-Venezuelan Neighborhood Commission, resulting in at least seven cooperation agreements. A major theme of the discussion was economic self-sufficiency within the Andean region.

Discussions focused on "import substitution," encouraging both to source products from each other rather than external markets. The agreements covered energy, health and environmental issues, with Rodriguez emphasizing that the two nations are "one people" reconnecting for commercial development.

"It makes no sense for Colombia or Venezuela to look elsewhere for what we can achieve within our own borders. We must recognize that we are one people, one country that is reconnecting and coming together for commercial development, based on the productive capacities of our sectors, both in Colombia and in Venezuela," she said.

Petro spoke about the importance of relations between neighboring countries and emphasized that Colombia and Venezuela are like brothers. ​​​​​​​

The visit serves as a significant endorsement of Rodriguez’s acting presidency. Since Maduro was transported to New York to face federal narco-terrorism charges, Rodriguez has governed under intense pressure from Washington.

Rodriguez said Petro was notably one of the first leaders to contact her administration following the transition.