The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, participated this Wednesday via videoconference in an international investment forum held in Miami, where she argued that her government is creating conditions to attract foreign capital and ensure "legal security" for investors.
Amid a political landscape defined by the transition following Nicolás Maduro's capture, Delcy tried to convey confidence, although the unique conclusion of her speech has gone viral on social media.
Before an audience made up of American, Saudi, and Latin American businessmen gathered at the FII Priority—known as the "Davos of the Desert"—Rodríguez presented Venezuela as a country in the process of economic stabilization and open to private capital, with a particular emphasis on the energy sector.
“It is important that the environment for investments is established in a context of security where the investor knows that, regardless of political changes, regardless of the context of restrictions, the investor knows that there is security”, he stated from Caracas.
In that regard, he insisted that there are "laws in Venezuela that allow the serious return of their investments."
His intervention is part of a discursive and political shift aimed at repositioning the country in front of international capital after years of sanctions, isolation, and economic crisis.
In the forum, Rodríguez stated that his administration is driving reforms to strengthen that framework: "We are in a process of stabilizing the implementation of the reforms needed for that productive environment and to attract investments."
Reforms, oil, and economic opening
During her presentation, the official emphasized the enactment of new regulations —such as the hydrocarbons law— and others under discussion, aimed at providing assurances to investors.
He also emphasized the incorporation of "alternative conflict resolution mechanisms, both national and international arbitration," as part of that institutional redesign.
"I speak of the importance of having a positive environment... it means that there is legal security, and that is why the relevance of the new laws," he stated.
The message was accompanied by an optimistic narrative about the country's economic performance.
Rodríguez asserted that Venezuela has recorded 19 consecutive quarters of growth and defended the claim that it is the fastest-growing economy in Latin America, although he did not elaborate on the deep social inequalities and the accumulated deterioration following years of crisis.
In addition to oil—a key sector in this new strategy—he mentioned progress in areas such as construction, banking, insurance, mining, and manufacturing, in an effort to project a more diversified economy.
However, the most striking moment of his participation came at the end.
When they were about to start the Q&A session, the connection dropped without any explanation, a detail that left many attendees baffled and later sparked criticism.
Critiques and questions
Rodríguez's intervention in Miami has not been without controversy.
Analysts, journalists, and social media users questioned both his participation in a global investment forum and the abrupt end to his speech.
"We cannot allow her, nor the fictitious government she represents, to have their image polished," stated journalist Alejandra Oraa, who warned about the risk of internationally legitimizing the transitional Venezuelan authorities.
Other comments described his presence as "an affront to the victims" or pointed out the contradiction between the historical discourse of chavismo against capitalism and its current approach to international investors.
A political shift marked by Washington
Rodríguez's participation in a high-level forum in Miami—historically identified by chavismo as an opposition stronghold—reflects the shift in the political landscape following the U.S. operation that led to Maduro's capture in January, and the beginning of a transition under Washington's guidance.
This new context has opened the door to a reconfiguration of bilateral relations. Rodríguez herself acknowledged progress in this area and sent a direct message to U.S. President Donald Trump.
"We know that we come from a time of many differences... and I appreciate that at this moment both governments are willing to contribute to a constructive diplomatic agenda," he said.
It also confirmed that delegations from both countries will hold meetings to strengthen “the diplomatic, political, geopolitical dialogue necessary for the life of nations,” alongside the gradual normalization of relations after years of estrangement.
Political competition and signals to foreign capital
The attempt to attract investors is not exclusive to the government.
From Texas, opposition leader María Corina Machado participated in the CERAWeek energy conference, where she also promised guarantees for international capital and advocated for the need for "fair and free" elections as a condition to stabilize the country.
While Rodríguez advocates for reforms within the current power structure, Machado proposes an institutional redesign with independent bodies for the energy sector, highlighting that Venezuela's economic future is also contested in the political arena and on the international stage.
A narrative of recovery under scrutiny
Despite the criticism, Rodríguez insisted on projecting an image of stability and opportunities.
"We are securing investments and guaranteeing the future," he affirmed, without addressing the exceptional circumstances that marked his rise to power or the demands from sectors calling for a full democratic transition.
The FII Priority forum, which brings together over a thousand business and political leaders to discuss global capital and strategic sectors, takes place in a complex geopolitical context and will conclude with the participation of President Trump.
In this scenario, Venezuela is trying to reposition itself as an investment destination.
However, the contrast between the official discourse, internal political tensions, and external criticisms, including the puzzling conclusion of his intervention, highlights that the promise of “legal security” remains one of the most sensitive - and contested - issues in the country's immediate future.
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