In a move reflecting a radical shift in diplomatic and security relations between Washington and Caracas, a senior US administration official revealed details of an unprecedented visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to the Venezuelan capital on Thursday. Ratcliffe met with Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, in what is considered the first meeting of its kind by a US official of this high rank since the recent developments in the country and the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro.
Direct messages from the White House
The official, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained that the visit came at the direct instruction of US President Donald Trump. Ratcliffe carried a clear and specific message to the current Venezuelan leadership: the United States is seriously looking to turn a new page and improve the working relationship between the two countries. The closed-door meeting between the two sides lasted approximately two hours, during which sensitive and complex issues were discussed, going beyond traditional diplomatic channels to touch upon core national security and economic matters.
Meeting agenda: Economy and security first
The discussions between Ratcliffe and Rodriguez focused on two main points:
- Economic cooperation: Exploring opportunities to restore the economic partnership, particularly in the energy sector, which is in line with the pragmatic policy pursued by the current US administration.
- The security file: The firm insistence that Venezuela must not be a safe haven for US adversaries or a platform for drug traffickers is a prerequisite for Washington to move forward with any political understandings.
A new geopolitical context and balance of power
This visit gains significance from its precise timing, coming the day after the first direct phone call between President Trump and Delcy Rodríguez, and on the same day that Trump received Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. This coincidence points to a complex American strategy aimed at balancing support for democratic forces with the preservation of its vital interests with the existing power structure on the ground.
Analyses suggest that Trump’s support for Rodriguez remaining in power – as a former deputy and ally of Maduro – is closely linked to ensuring the continued flow of Venezuelan oil to global markets, reflecting the prioritization of economic and strategic interests over past ideological differences.
Steps to build trust
Informed US sources described the intelligence director's visit as "a crucial step toward building trust," paving the way for permanent communication channels between Washington and Caracas. It is worth noting that these moves were not individual initiatives, but rather the result of high-level coordination among key figures in the US administration, including the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon. This underscores that the United States is reshaping its policy toward Latin America in light of the new realities following the Maduro era.
