President Trump met with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, emphasizing the importance of continued oil flow and warm relations. While Trump did not set a specific election date, he stressed their necessity for Venezuela's democratic transition. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, followed the U.S. ousting of Nicolas Maduro. Since then, the U.S. has engaged in oil and gold-mining deals with Venezuela. However, Venezuela faces significant sovereign debt issues that must be resolved before elections can occur. Rodriguez described the meeting as historic, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in key areas. A photo from the meeting, showing Trump and Rodriguez, drew criticism from the Venezuelan diaspora who prioritize election discussions. Venezuela's opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, faces re-entry blocks. The U.S. aims for Venezuela's elections to be called through its National Reconciliation Council, involving judicial and electoral reforms. Trump reportedly detailed the operation that removed Maduro during the meeting. U.S. officials believe a 2028 election date might be more practical to allow for economic and electoral repairs.