Historic Meeting: CIA Director Engages with New Venezuelan Leadership

Sat Jan 17 2026 05:54:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a pivotal two-hour discussion, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, signaling a shift in U.S.-Venezuelan relations post-Maduro’s seizure.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe held a significant two-hour meeting with Delcy Rodríguez, the newly appointed Interim President of Venezuela, in Caracas. This meeting aimed to foster trust and explore economic collaborations following the U.S. operation that led to Nicolás Maduro's seizure. Rodríguez announced reforms intended to attract foreign investment in the oil sector during her first state address, emphasizing Venezuela's need to engage with the U.S. diplomatically while defending its sovereignty.

CIA director John Ratcliffe met Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas on Thursday at President Trump's direction, a US official has said.

The two-hour meeting was aimed at building trust and communication following the US seizure of Venezuela's former president Nicolás Maduro almost two weeks ago.

Ratcliffe and Rodríguez discussed potential economic collaboration and asserted that Venezuela can no longer be a safe haven for America's adversaries, according to the US official.

The meeting coincided with Rodríguez's first state of the union address since assuming the presidency, during which she proposed reforms in the oil sector to attract foreign investments, departing from the previous policies under Maduro.

In her speech, Rodríguez emphasized a commitment to face the US through diplomatic efforts, defending Venezuela's dignity and sovereignty amid ongoing economic challenges.

Trump has encouraged investment in Venezuela's oil industry, with an aim for American firms to benefit while improving the situation in Venezuela, despite concerns raised by industry executives about the country's current investability.

Rodríguez, sworn in on January 5 following the U.S. operation that seized Maduro and his wife, marked Ratcliffe's visit as historic, highlighting its importance for future U.S.-Venezuela relations.