Venezuelan acting president thanks Erdogan for 'friendship' after Istanbul talks

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s friendship following talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, where the two leaders discussed expanding cooperation across energy, transportation, and technology sectors.

Rodriguez wrote on X that the meeting covered joint initiatives in mining, air connectivity, science and technology, industry, electricity, and trade. "It was an honor to hold a cordial working meeting with the President of the Republic of Türkiye," she said, adding that both sides agreed to convene the fifth Joint Cooperation Commission in November.

Ankara's steadfast backing

President Erdogan reaffirmed during Monday’s meeting that Ankara will always stand by the friendly people of Venezuela, according to diplomatic sources.

Rodriguez assumed the acting presidency in January following a US military operation that abducted former President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas.

Seven decades of ties

Türkiye’s diplomatic ties with Venezuela date to 1950, making it one of the first nations in the Latin America and the Caribbean region with which Ankara formally established relations.

The upcoming November commission meeting marks the latest effort to institutionalize bilateral cooperation between the two governments.