Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez (R) speaks while attending a press conference with visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 24, 2026. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday discussed cooperation in such areas as energy, security, tourism and trade. During the visit, the two countries also signed the final act of the third meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Neighborhood and Integration Commission, aimed at advancing cooperation initiatives. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua)

CARACAS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday discussed cooperation in such areas as energy, security, tourism and trade.

Speaking after their first meeting, Rodriguez said both sides held "serious and concrete" discussions on combating criminal groups and transnational crime, including plans to strengthen intelligence sharing.

She said the two countries also explored closer energy cooperation, notably electricity and gas interconnection projects, as well as efforts to boost tourism and expand bilateral trade.

The agenda also covered border issues, migration and broader economic cooperation.

Rodriguez said that bilateral trade amounted to some 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2025 and that the two sides aim to further develop economic ties.

Petro, who arrived in the Venezuelan capital on Friday, highlighted the importance of regional integration.

He said stronger cooperation could benefit both nations while respecting their autonomy. His visit marks the first official trip by a head of state to Venezuela since Rodriguez assumed the presidency on an interim basis.

On Jan. 3, U.S. military forces launched a large-scale operation against Venezuela and forcibly seized President Nicolas Maduro and his wife before transporting them to New York. Rodriguez subsequently assumed the role of acting president.

During the visit, the two countries also signed the final act of the third meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Neighborhood and Integration Commission, aimed at advancing cooperation initiatives. ■

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez (R) greets visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 24, 2026. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday discussed cooperation in such areas as energy, security, tourism and trade.

During the visit, the two countries also signed the final act of the third meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Neighborhood and Integration Commission, aimed at advancing cooperation initiatives. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua)