Caracas, February 18, 2026 – The Europe Today: Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday, marking his first official visit since the United States-led raid in January that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power, according to media and state television footage.
The high-profile visit underscores Doha’s expanding diplomatic role in the Western Hemisphere, especially its efforts to help bridge relations between the United States and Venezuela’s new government. Footage broadcast on Venezuelan state television showed Sheikh Mohammed being welcomed at the airport in Caracas by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil.
Diplomacy and Bilateral Relations on the Agenda
Venezolana de Television reported the discussions will center on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in agriculture and investment, although neither government has released a detailed schedule. It is expected the visit will also build on continued dialogue about rebuilding economic and diplomatic ties in a rapidly changing regional context.
This marks Sheikh Mohammed’s first trip to Venezuela since 2022 and his first since the dramatic events of Jan. 3, when U.S. forces captured Maduro in an early-morning raid, leading Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the presidency. Since then, the interim government has signaled willingness to cooperate with Washington, particularly on energy matters, including passing legislation to open Venezuela’s beleaguered oil sector to foreign investment and the recent easing of U.S. sanctions aimed at boosting American investment.
Qatar’s Mediator Role and Regional Significance
Qatar, a key non-NATO ally of the United States with extensive diplomatic networks, has expressed “deep concern” over Maduro’s removal and has offered to serve as a mediator between Caracas and Washington. Doha briefly held Venezuela’s oil revenues earlier in the year through restricted accounts as part of this role, though Washington has since moved those funds to U.S. Treasury-controlled accounts as cooperation between the nations increased.
Doha’s broader mediation efforts extend beyond Latin America; it has played a central role, along with the United States and Egypt, in brokering previous international agreements such as the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in 2025.
Background: Post-Maduro Transition and Challenges
The United States’ operation in early January has reverberated across global capitals, prompting reactions from regional actors and shaping new diplomatic pathways. Despite Venezuela’s outreach to U.S. energy firms and open channels of communication, questions remain about long-term political stability and broader economic reform under acting President Rodriguez.
While diplomatic engagement between Caracas and Doha appears set to deepen, actual economic ties remain modest: Venezuela exported only a small volume of goods to Qatar in 2023, and trade figures for 2025 have not yet been released. However, connectivity between the countries has been expanding, with Qatar Airways adding a flight route to Caracas in January 2025.
The outcome of Sheikh Mohammed’s visit could influence future negotiations involving oil revenues, foreign investment, and Venezuela’s reintegration into global economic systems at a critical juncture for the country’s political transition.
