Venezuela’s Rodríguez Launches Food Plan at FAO in Rome

VENEZUELA · POLITICS

Venezuela’s acting president used a United Nations stage to launch a zero-hunger plan. She also blamed Washington’s sanctions for years of lost food production.

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, launched the Venezuela Alimenta plan in Rome on Monday, 12 October, at a food forum. The host was the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations agency that leads global efforts against hunger.

She also blamed more than 1,000 US sanctions for a 16% fall in food output, according to El Nacional. The remarks matter in Washington, which backs talks between her government and the opposition that resume on Wednesday.

What the Venezuela Alimenta Plan Promises

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry said Rodríguez activated the plan from FAO headquarters with the goal of “Hambre Cero”, or zero hunger. The ministry said the plan aims to link every stage of national food production with social distribution networks.

Rodríguez said the plan would “engranar todos los procesos productivos de alimentos”, meaning it would mesh all food production processes together. She named three priorities: stronger models, national unity and a higher international profile.

The Foreign Ministry also said the government will push a law on the local economy. It is meant to connect community producers with large agro-industrial firms.

El Nacional, a Caracas daily, reported that the bill will go to the National Assembly in the coming days. Neither source gave a budget, a timeline or a list of measures for the Venezuela Alimenta plan.

Rodríguez Blames US Sanctions

According to El Nacional, Rodríguez blamed “más de 1.000 medidas coercitivas unilaterales” imposed by the United States, mostly from 2017 onwards. She said they cut the agri-food chain’s output by 16% by blocking credit and imports of seeds, machinery and parts.

She also credited national political dialogue and diplomatic talks with the United States for helping end the supply crisis. Food, she said, should never be used as a tool of pressure or political confrontation.

Rodríguez cited figures from the FAO’s SOFI 2026 hunger report, saying undernourishment fell from 5.3% in 2025 to 3% this year. On her figures, about one Venezuelan in 33 would still be undernourished.

These figures come from her speech and were not checked against the FAO report itself. El Nacional also reported that some Venezuelans living in Rome protested against her presence at the forum.

What It Means for US Readers

The speech shows the Caracas government blaming US sanctions in public while it negotiates under US sponsorship. That double message will shape how Congress and the State Department judge any further sanctions relief.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed the talks after meeting opposition negotiator Dinorah Figuera in Washington on 9 October, El Nacional reported. A new round between the 2015 National Assembly bloc and the government starts on Wednesday, 14 October.

For US investors and food exporters, a push for local production could mean fewer import openings over time. For now, no tariff, quota or import rule has been announced alongside the plan.

What Is Not Known

The government has not published the text of the local economy bill or the cost of the Venezuela Alimenta plan. It is also unclear how the plan would be financed while some US measures remain in place.

The 16% figure and the count of more than 1,000 measures are the government’s own claims. No independent study cited in Rome confirms them.

What Comes Next

The next step is the bill’s arrival at the National Assembly, which the government says will happen within days. The talks with the opposition resume on Wednesday, 14 October.

In Rome, Rodríguez also met Angola’s president, João Lourenço, and Dominican president Luis Abinader, the Foreign Ministry said. The speech does not change any US sanction by itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Venezuela Alimenta Plan?

It is a government programme launched on 12 October to link food production with social distribution networks. Its stated goal is zero hunger.

Who Is Delcy Rodríguez?

She is Venezuela’s acting president and leads the government in Caracas. She is negotiating with the opposition in talks backed by the United States.

What Did She Say About US Sanctions?

She said more than 1,000 US measures cut farm and food output by 16%. She also credited talks with Washington for easing the supply crisis.

When Do the Venezuela Talks Resume?

A new round between the government and the 2015 National Assembly bloc starts on Wednesday, 14 October. Marco Rubio said on 9 October that the process has US support.

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Venezuela Alimenta plan; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, FAO plenary; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, local economy law; El Nacional; El Nacional, Rubio and Figuera; Efecto Cocuyo (all accessed 12 October 2026).