In a move reflecting a radical shift in the course of diplomatic relations between Washington and Caracas, a senior US administration official revealed that John Ratcliffe, director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), made an important visit to the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Thursday, where he met with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez.
This visit is the first of its kind by a US official of this high level since the recent political developments in the country and the arrest of former President Nicolas Maduro, indicating a clear desire by President Trump’s administration to reshape relations with the oil-rich Latin American nation.
Exchanged messages and thorny issues
According to the official, who preferred to remain anonymous, Ratcliffe's visit came at the direct instruction of President Donald Trump, carrying a message that the United States was looking to "improve the working relationship" between the two countries. The meeting between Ratcliffe and Rodriguez lasted approximately two hours, during which sensitive and complex issues were discussed.
The talks focused on opportunities for economic cooperation, a vital issue for both sides; Venezuela seeks to break its economic isolation, while Washington aims to stabilize energy markets. Security was also seriously addressed, with the US side emphasizing that Venezuela must not be a safe haven for US adversaries or drug traffickers—a prerequisite for any future diplomatic breakthrough.
Geopolitical context and strategic dimensions
This move comes at a delicate geopolitical juncture, as the United States seeks to restore its influence in Latin America and ensure global energy security. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, making its stability and the guarantee of its oil flow a strategic interest for the US administration, particularly given current global tensions.
Observers believe that Washington's acceptance of dealing with Rodriguez, who served as former Vice President to Maduro, reflects a pragmatic approach by the Trump administration, prioritizing economic and security interests over past ideological differences, as long as Venezuelan oil continues to flow to the markets.
Steps to building trust
The visit coincided with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado handing over the Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump at the White House, demonstrating the delicate balance Washington is trying to maintain between supporting democratic forces and dealing with the existing power structure in Caracas.
American sources described Ratcliffe's visit as a "confidence-building step" that paved the way for continued open communication channels between Washington and Caracas, noting that the visit was coordinated at a high level between the White House, the State Department and the Pentagon, to ensure a unified American message to the new Venezuelan leadership.
