Rodriguez described the meetings with Colombian ministers as productive and said closer cooperation between the two countries could generate economic benefits while strengthening coordination along their shared border.

The talks marked the first high-level face-to-face engagement between the governments since Maduro’s ouster in early January and came amid a shift in Venezuela’s political landscape and renewed diplomatic contact with the United States.

Rodriguez said discussions centered on energy collaboration, cross-border trade and regional security.Venezuela is planning to repair a pipeline to resume gas exports to Colombia, part of broader efforts by the acting government to revive economic activity and attract foreign investment.

Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president, has been courting investors in Venezuela’s oil and mining sectors as her administration seeks to stabilize the country following Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces.She also used the meeting to call for the lifting of U.S. sanctions, addressing remarks to U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Unilateral coercive measures against the Venezuelan people affect the peoples of our Latin America,” Rodriguez said, urging Washington to end sanctions imposed on Caracas.

Among the visiting Colombian officials was Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez, who met with Venezuelan counterpart Vladimir Padrino to coordinate security strategies along the countries’ 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border.

Foreign ministers Rosa Villavicencio of Colombia and Yvan Gil of Venezuela also discussed cooperation on diplomatic and economic issues.

Rodriguez said both sides had agreed on the need for closer information sharing to address cross-border crime.

“We have a very active border and we are calling for immediate coordination and permanent exchange of information in order to combat drug trafficking,” she said.

Rodriguez had initially been expected to hold talks with Colombian President Gustavo Petro in what would have been her first presidential-level bilateral meeting since taking office.

Both governments said that engagement was canceled because of “force majeure,” without providing further details.

Washington has repeatedly urged Colombia to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking. Petro has said authorities under his administration have recorded record drug seizures during his tenure.

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, Al-Sharaa raised concerns during the conversation about recent shelling near the border town and alleged movements of Hezbollah fighters near Syrian army positions. Syrian authorities said artillery fire launched from Lebanese territory had landed close to Serghaya, a town located west of the Syrian capital.

During the discussion, Al-Sharaa expressed support for efforts by the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, describing the move as an important step toward strengthening Lebanese sovereignty and reducing the risk of wider regional instability.

The Syrian president also emphasized the need for coordinated measures between Damascus and Beirut to safeguard civilians and prevent further escalation along the border region.

The conversation between the two leaders took place as tensions across the Middle East have intensified following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran that began on Feb. 28, according to regional reports. The escalation has contributed to population movements and security concerns across neighboring states.

Thousands of Syrians who had fled to Lebanon during the 13-year Syrian civil war have returned home in recent days as the conflict expanded across parts of the region.

Israel has carried out strikes across several locations in the Middle East as hostilities involving Iran and its allies intensified. Hezbollah, a close ally of Tehran that is designated as a terrorist organization by Britain and several other countries, has also launched attacks into Israel.

Israeli forces have responded with air strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut. Israeli troops have also moved into key areas south of the Litani River amid the ongoing confrontation.

Roberto Alvarez Avila died on March 4 while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident, the ministry said. The confrontation occurred when Cuban forces intercepted a speedboat that had entered the country’s territorial waters, resulting in the deaths of four Cuban nationals and injuries to six others aboard the vessel.Hospital death raises casualty tollThe interior ministry said Alvarez Avila had been hospitalized after the incident and died several days later due to injuries sustained during the encounter. His death raises the total number of fatalities linked to the confrontation to five.Cuban officials previously confirmed that security forces opened fire on the speedboat after it entered national waters. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading to the interception or the identities of those on board, beyond confirming that the passengers were Cuban nationals.

Six people were initially reported wounded during the operation, and it remains unclear how many continue to receive medical treatment following the incident.Government statement on the operationThe Cuban interior ministry described the episode as a response by state forces to an unauthorized maritime incursion. According to the ministry, the speedboat was detected within Cuban waters before security personnel moved to intercept it.Authorities did not elaborate on whether the vessel was attempting to depart the island or enter from abroad. Cuban officials also did not specify the location of the confrontation beyond confirming it occurred within Cuban territorial waters.Government statements so far have focused on confirming casualty figures and describing the sequence of events surrounding the interception.Limited details releasedCuban authorities have released few operational details since the incident occurred, and no additional information has been provided regarding potential investigations or follow-up actions.

The deaths have drawn attention to maritime security operations around the island, where authorities routinely monitor coastal waters to enforce national border controls.Officials have not indicated whether further statements or findings about the incident will be made public.The interior ministry said the situation remains under review as authorities continue to account for those injured during the confrontation.