U.S. officials stated that the meeting was intended to convey the message that the Trump administration is ready to enhance cooperation with Venezuela and views the interim government as the most suitable option for short-term stability.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodríguez in the country’s capital, Caracas.
According to a report by The New York Times, the meeting between Ratcliffe and Rodríguez in Caracas took place shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with Rodríguez.
Highest-Level Visit Since Maduro Incident
Ratcliffe became the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Venezuela following the January 3 operation in which the U.S. military detained President Nicolás Maduro.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Ratcliffe–Rodríguez meeting was held to deliver the message that the Trump administration is prepared to improve bilateral relations with Venezuela.
The official noted that issues such as intelligence sharing, economic stability, and combating drug trafficking were discussed during the meeting.
‘Confidence’ Message from the Trump Administration
Trump administration officials view Ratcliffe’s visit as a sign of support for Rodríguez’s stabilizing role and an indication of the intention to establish trust and cooperation between the two governments.
Officials added that the meeting aimed to reinforce the message that the federal administration sees the interim government as the most appropriate option for ensuring short-term stability in Venezuela.