Delcy Rodríguez merges Venezuela's foreign and trade ministries, names Félix Plasencia as foreign minister

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the fusion of Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Ministry of Trade, creating the Ministry of Relations and Trade. Internationalist Félix Plasencia, former U.S. envoy and previous foreign minister (2021‑2022), was appointed to head the new ministry, while Yván Gil moved to become Minister of Science and Technology.

The reshuffle follows the devastating June 24 earthquakes that killed more than 4,500 people, injured tens of thousands and left thousands homeless. The government reports 107 temporary camps housing 20,231 displaced persons, with a total capacity of 25,064. President of the National Assembly Jorge Rodríguez said the state will seek the release of Venezuelan gold held abroad – including in the United Kingdom and the United States – to fund a reconstruction fund for about 25,000 homes.

U.S. military and humanitarian assistance has been deployed to the hardest‑hit La Guaira region, underscoring the international dimension of the response.