Thursday 24 September 2026 · Edition of the day

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The Skeptic's Daily

The day's biggest stories, taken apart. For each one: what is actually established, what is only asserted, the questions worth asking — and a plausibility score for the central claim, given everything currently known.

Stories
1
Average plausibility
78%
How to read the score
It rates how well the core claim is evidenced — not how important the story is, nor whether it is good or bad news.
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TopicAllPoliticsConflict & SecurityBusinessScienceHealth
01PoliticsSouth America

Trump holds first face-to-face talks with US-backed Venezuelan leader Rodríguez

The two met at the UN General Assembly months after a US raid removed Nicolás Maduro from power.

President Trump met Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez at the UN General Assembly, their first in-person encounter since Washington backed her to succeed Maduro. Her government has signed an agreement giving a US-led company 100-year concessions over 17 oilfields covering more than 65 billion barrels. Opposition leader María Corina Machado has been unable to re-enter Venezuela despite several attempts.

What holds up

  • ✓The meeting took place in New York, attended by Marco Rubio and Susie Wiles.
  • ✓Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president after a US raid on Caracas; US sanctions on her were lifted in April 2026.

What doesn't yet

  • ?Whether the oil concession terms serve Venezuelan interests is disputed by the opposition and critics.
  • ?Reasons for blocking Machado's return have not been officially given.

Ask before you share

  • →What democratic mandate does the interim president have?
  • →What oversight exists over 100-year oil concessions?
  • →Why is Machado, a Nobel laureate, being kept out of her own country?

Sources & original reporting

  1. [1]BBC · Published 23 Sept 2026 · bbc.com
  2. [2]UPI · Published 23 Sept 2026 · upi.com