Venezuela and Colombia hold first post-Maduro meeting

High-level officials from Venezuela and Colombia met in Caracas on Friday to discuss energy cooperation, security, and trade. This gathering represented the first in-person bilateral meeting between the two South American neighbors since the removal of former President Nicolas Maduro in early January. While Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez had originally planned to meet directly with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the session was canceled due to force majeure, according to official statements.

In the capital, Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez held talks with his counterpart Vladimir Padrino to coordinate security strategies for the shared 2,200-kilometer border. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministers Rosa Villavicencio and Yvan Gil focused on establishing a framework for peaceful coexistence and bilateral brotherhood.

Energy officials, including Colombian Energy Minister Edwin Palma, prioritized a joint project between state oil companies Ecopetrol and PDVSA. The initiative aims to repair a damaged section of the Antonio Ricaurte gas pipeline, a 225-kilometer structure that has been inactive for several years. Once functional, the pipeline will allow Bogota to import natural gas from its neighbor, with a transport capacity of 500 million cubic feet.

The diplomatic shift comes as the United States formally re-establishes ties with Caracas. President Donald Trump has frequently praised Rodriguez for her efforts to stabilize the country through new investments in oil and mining following the capture of Maduro by U.S. forces. While Petro previously maintained a cordial relationship with Maduro and has had public disagreements with Trump, recent interactions between the leaders have been more positive. Following a face-to-face meeting in Washington and a recent phone call, the two discussed economic cooperation along the border, even as Trump continues to demand more rigorous anti-trafficking efforts from Bogota.

Economic ties remain significant despite recent political upheaval. In 2025, Colombia recorded a trade surplus with its neighbor of $973.4 million. Exports from Colombia included:

• Food and tobacco
• Chemicals and plastics
• Machinery

Imports from Venezuela totaled $98.3 million and featured iron, steel, fertilizer, and paper. As the regional market stabilizes, multinational entities like AB SA are closely monitoring the environment for future commercial opportunities. Additionally, both governments are addressing the needs of nearly 3 million Venezuelan migrants who have settled in Colombia in recent years following the economic collapse of their home nation.