CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, in Caracas on Thursday. This meeting represents the highest-level official contact between the two countries since the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd by U.S. forces, according to The New York Times.
Context of the Meeting
The meeting occurred the day after President Donald Trump stated he spoke by phone with Rodríguez, and on the same day he received Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado in Washington.
Some opposition sectors interpret Ratcliffe’s visit and the cooperative tone as a snub. Supporters of Machado have expressed frustration that the Trump administration did not pursue the installation of Edmundo González Urrutia, Venezuela’s elected president.
Focus of Discussions
A U.S. official, as cited by The New York Times, indicated that Ratcliffe met with Rodríguez at the direct instruction of President Trump “to convey the message that the United States expects an improved working relationship.”
Discussions included cooperation on intelligence, economic stability, and ensuring Venezuela no longer serves as a “safe haven for enemies of the United States,” particularly drug traffickers.
According to the report, U.S. officials have been analyzing scenarios for months to avoid institutional collapse in Venezuela following Maduro’s removal. The CIA assessed Rodríguez as “a pragmatic figure, willing to negotiate and capable of maintaining control.”
Government officials cautioned that completely dismantling the Venezuelan state apparatus, even to facilitate opposition leadership, could lead to chaos and insurgency similar to the situation in Iraq after the dissolution of its army and government.
U.S. Priorities
President Trump has spoken little about the immediate restoration of democracy in Venezuela, instead emphasizing the potential role of U.S. companies in the country’s oil industry. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated Washington’s aspiration for a democratic transition in Venezuela, praising Machado while acknowledging the opposition’s current lack of effective presence within the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the CIA Director’s visit to Caracas?
John Ratcliffe met with Delcy Rodríguez at the direct instruction of President Trump to communicate the desire for an improved working relationship between the United States and Venezuela.
What concerns did U.S. officials have regarding a potential power vacuum in Venezuela?
U.S. officials feared that completely dismantling the Venezuelan state could lead to chaos and insurgency, drawing parallels to the situation in Iraq after the dissolution of its army and government.
What was the CIA’s assessment of Delcy Rodríguez?
The CIA evaluated Rodríguez as a “pragmatic figure, willing to negotiate and with the capacity to maintain control.”
Given the complexities of the situation, what impact might this shift in U.S. engagement have on the future of Venezuela’s political landscape?
