US military leader meets with Rodríguez after Maduro ouster from Venezuela
The Hill
by Filip TimotijaFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. military leader overseeing operations in Latin America met with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas on Wednesday. This move comes as the Trump administration continues to strengthen ties with the Venezuelan government following the ouster of former President Nicolás Maduro. The meeting involved U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) Cmdr. Gen. Francis L. Donovan and Ambassador Laura F., who discussed the evolving political landscape in Venezuela and the implications for regional stability.
The encounter highlights the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to support the Venezuelan opposition and recognize Rodríguez as the interim leader. This aligns with the U.S. strategy to influence regime change in Venezuela, which has been a key focus of American foreign policy under President Donald Trump. The meeting also underscores the growing international recognition of Rodríguez’s leadership, despite Maduro loyalists still holding significant power within the country.
While the exact details of the discussion were not fully disclosed, it is believed that the talks focused on security cooperation, economic support for Venezuela’s
Verticals
politicsnews
Originally published on The Hill on 2/19/2026