Qatar's Prime Minister Visits Venezuela to Meet with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez

The high-level meeting aims to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with Venezuela's 'acting President' Delcy Rodríguez and other members of the Venezuelan socialist regime in Caracas on Wednesday. Al Thani's visit is the highest-ranked foreign official to visit Venezuela since the January arrest of former socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro. The two countries are seeking to enhance diplomatic and economic cooperation, particularly in the energy and tourism sectors.

Why it matters

Qatar's outreach to Venezuela's new government signals an effort to maintain influence in the region and potentially serve as a mediator between Venezuela and the United States. The meeting also highlights Venezuela's efforts to rebuild international ties and economic partnerships as it transitions away from Maduro's authoritarian rule.

The details

Al Thani arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday and was received by Foreign Minister Yván Gil at the Simón Bolívar international airport. Details of the Qatari prime minister's agenda have not been publicly disclosed, but reports indicate the focus was on reviewing a 'comprehensive cooperation agreement' between the two nations. Al Thani reportedly met with Rodríguez and other regime figures at the Miraflores presidential palace. Qatar has previously expressed willingness to serve as a mediator between Venezuela and the U.S. following Maduro's arrest.

  • Al Thani arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • Al Thani met with Delcy Rodríguez and other Venezuelan officials on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani

The Prime Minister of Qatar, who is visiting Venezuela to meet with government officials and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

Delcy Rodríguez

The 'acting President' of Venezuela, who is meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister to discuss cooperation between the two nations.

Yván Gil

The Foreign Minister of Venezuela, who received the Qatari Prime Minister at the Simón Bolívar international airport.

Nicolás Maduro

The former socialist dictator of Venezuela, who was arrested in January 2026 and is currently detained in the United States.

Cilia Flores

The wife of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, who was also arrested in January 2026 and is currently detained in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“An account was set up in Qatar, controlled by the U.S. government the whole time, to land that money in and then send the money from there down to Venezuela.”

— Christ Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary (NBC News)

What’s next

The Venezuelan regime, under 'acting President' Rodríguez, is collaborating with the U.S. following Maduro's arrest and, with the help of the United States, is starting to sell its oil at a profit. Revenue from the initial sales of Venezuelan oil under this new collaboration will no longer be held in a U.S. government-controlled bank account in Qatar, but instead will be deposited directly into a U.S. Treasury account.

The takeaway

Qatar's outreach to Venezuela's new government highlights the country's efforts to maintain regional influence and potentially serve as a mediator between Venezuela and the United States as the country transitions away from Maduro's authoritarian rule. The meeting also underscores Venezuela's attempts to rebuild international ties and economic partnerships as it seeks to stabilize its economy.