Venezuela's Communications Minister stated there are no plans for Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to travel to the United States soon, according to an X post by user OrlvndoA during the 6:46 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. UTC window on January 9, 2026. A separate X post by AlbertoRodNews labeled it breaking news that Rodríguez did not request a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. This denial follows reports earlier on January 9 of Rodríguez requesting a White House visit next Tuesday for a U.S. Treasury sanctions exemption, as posted by journalist Maibort Petit. The Communications Minister's assurance counters those claims amid ongoing Venezuelan government announcements to reestablish diplomatic relations with the United States after over six years. X user PachoSantosC reported during the window that Diosdado Cabello, Vladimir Padrino López, and ELN agent Ramón Rodríguez Chacín blocked the release of political hostages, calling on President Trump to intervene. This comes nearly 24 hours after the Venezuelan government's promise of releases, with human rights group Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón verifying fewer than 1% of over 1,000 detainees freed earlier on January 9.
