Wednesday, 28/01/2026   
   Beirut 21:32

Caracas Announces Release of Frozen Venezuelan Assets After Talks With Washington

CARACAS, VENEZUELA â" JANUARY 15: Interim President Delcy Rodriguez appears before the National Assembly (AN) to deliver her Annual Address to the Nation at the Federal Legislative Palace in Caracas, Venezuela on January 15, 2026. The address, presented in accordance with the constitutional mandate, focused on ensuring administrative continuity and institutional stability following the kidnapping of constitutional President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores by the United States government on January 3. (Photo by Ivan Mc Gregor/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, announced the start of the release of Venezuelan assets that had been frozen in the United States, following talks with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Rodríguez said part of the unfrozen funds will be allocated to purchasing medical equipment for hospitals from the US market, a move aimed at strengthening Venezuela’s healthcare sector.

In a televised address broadcast by state media, Rodríguez said she had established “channels of communication based on respect and civility” with both Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She said the discussions are focused on a “shared agenda” that includes lifting freezes on Venezuelan resources belonging to the Venezuelan people, enabling substantial investment in hospital infrastructure.

She added that the released funds will also be used to acquire equipment for the electricity sector and the gas system, while reiterating her government’s accusation that Western countries have seized billions of dollars in Venezuelan funds, gold, and overseas assets under international—particularly US—sanctions.

Rodríguez called for resolving disputes with Washington through diplomatic dialogue, stressing that Venezuela seeks to address differences through direct political engagement between officials from both countries.

Responding to Rodríguez’s remarks, Trump said he “doesn’t know exactly what’s going on there,” but emphasized that he has a “very good relationship” with the Venezuelan government.

Source: Al-Manar Website