Abinader and Delcy Rodríguez discuss energy cooperation, consular relations and tourism in Rome

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader met with Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, to discuss energy cooperation, consular relations and tourism. The bilateral meeting took place during the 2026 World Food Forum.

Following the meeting, Abinader told reporters that both governments had discussed the possibility of direct purchases of petroleum products, including AC30 fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The details will be addressed by the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (Refidomsa) and Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

Abinader also announced the opening of the Dominican consulate in Venezuela to strengthen consular relations and improve services for citizens of both countries. Rodríguez said Venezuela’s consular representation in Santo Domingo would soon have an appointed consul to handle requests from Venezuelan citizens.

Rodríguez thanked Abinader for the Dominican Republic’s support following the earthquake that caused damage in Venezuela. She highlighted the early arrival of Dominican rescue teams and medical personnel, expressing gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people. She also congratulated Abinader on his speech at the FAO, in which he highlighted the Dominican Republic’s official removal from the Hunger Map.

Both leaders expressed interest in expanding cooperation in energy and tourism, describing the two nations as having longstanding ties and shared strategic objectives. The meeting also included discussion of a possible baseball miniseries between the Dominican and Venezuelan national teams, provisionally named “La Revancha.”

The meeting was part of Abinader’s agenda in Rome, where the Dominican Republic is presenting its experiences in agricultural production, social protection and efforts to combat hunger at the World Food Forum.