CIA director Ratcliffe meets Venezuela’s Rodriguez in Caracas

NEW YORK – Central Intelligence Agency director John Ratcliffe met Venezuela’s interim leader in Caracas to discuss cooperation, a US official said on Jan 16, in the most senior known visit by a US official since the US toppled president Nicolas Maduro in January.

Mr Ratcliffe met on Jan 15 with Ms Delcy Rodriguez at the direction of President Donald Trump, “to deliver the message that the United States looks forward to an improved working relationship”, the official said.

They discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and the need to ensure that Venezuela was no longer a “safe haven for America's adversaries, especially narco-traffickers”.

The visit took place the same day that Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Mr Trump
at the White House.

Since sending troops to seize Maduro, Washington has held back from saying the opposition should take power, despite having previously said Ms Machado’s ally rightfully won an election in 2024.

Ms Rodriguez, who served as vice-president under Maduro, took over the presidency on an interim basis after the US military seized him and flew him to the US to stand trial for drug charges.

She has previously criticised the Trump administration for “kidnapping” Maduro
and called for his return.

However, Washington has said she is favourable as an interim leader to preserve stability.

The US official said the two-hour meeting with Mr Ratcliffe was focused on building trust between the US and Venezuela.

“The director made clear Venezuela can no longer provide support to drug traffickers like TDA,” the official said, referring to Tren de Aragua, a criminal gang.

The New York Times first reported the Ratcliffe trip. The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. REUTERS