Venezuela’s Interim Leader Seeks Deeper Ties with Turkey
Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela’s interim president and a close ally of former leader Nicolás Maduro, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul on Monday. The discussion centered around increasing investment in Venezuela, which has struggled economically.
Rodriguez took over following Maduro’s arrest by U.S. authorities in January. She recently visited India, aiming to boost oil exports from Venezuela to the country, which has a strong oil market but limited domestic resources.
Interestingly, while Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest oil reserves outside the U.S., years of socialism have rendered much of its oil infrastructure inoperable. Maduro had previously sought assistance from Iranian engineers to renovate the main oil facility, but his arrest and Rodriguez’s newfound willingness to engage with the U.S. has complicated those efforts.
Erdoğan has a history of supporting some of the world’s more authoritarian regimes, including Venezuela. While he has publicly backed Maduro’s questionable elections, his administration has shown a willingness to foster better relations with Rodriguez in light of the changing political landscape.
According to Turkish state media, Erdoğan expressed support for the Venezuelan people during a meeting with Rodriguez, emphasizing the importance of economic collaboration. He stated his commitment to enhancing ties in trade, energy, and mining, with a goal to elevate bilaterally trade to $3 billion.
Statistics from the end of 2025 reveal that trade between Venezuela and Turkey stood at $448 million, with Turkey importing a large quantity of Venezuelan products, likely oil. However, trade levels remain modest compared to Turkey’s connections with larger regional partners.
In Venezuela, Diosdado Cabello, a key figure in Maduro’s party, mentioned that Rodriguez’s visit was crucial for diversifying the nation’s economy, traditionally reliant on oil. He asserted that the country is shifting focus beyond just food and fuel.
Rodriguez’s discussions in India mirrored this vision, emphasizing cooperation in various sectors like transportation and energy supplementation. Interestingly, India is reportedly boosting its oil imports from Venezuela amidst challenges in the Strait of Hormuz.
During her time in Turkey, Rodriguez found an ally in Erdoğan, a prominent supporter of Maduro during Venezuela’s tumultuous years marked by widespread protests and crisis. Past interactions between the two leaders highlight their mutual interests, especially regarding trade and resource exchange.
While history reflects a supportive relationship between Erdoğan and Maduro, the particulars of Rodriguez’s engagement indicate a recalibration of alliances, possibly aimed at reviving Venezuela’s economy through international investment.
