Details of the meeting between the US intelligence chief and the Venezuelan president in Caracas
In a significant development signaling a radical shift in diplomatic and security relations between Washington and Caracas, a senior US administration official revealed details of the unannounced visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to the Venezuelan capital last Thursday. During the visit, Ratcliffe met with Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, in what has been described as the highest-level visit by a US official since the recent political developments in the country and the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro.
White House messages to Caracas
The official, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained that the visit came at the direct instruction of President Donald Trump, with Ratcliffe carrying a clear message of the United States' desire to turn a new page and improve the working relationship between the two countries. The meeting between the two sides lasted approximately two hours, during which sensitive issues were discussed that went beyond traditional diplomatic frameworks to include intelligence and economic cooperation.
Strategic shift in relations
This visit is of paramount importance given the strained history between the two countries, marked by years of stagnation and estrangement under former President Maduro, amidst crippling economic sanctions. The decision to send the CIA director instead of the Secretary of State underscores the nature of the issues at hand, which are primarily focused on national security. Both sides discussed ensuring that Venezuela does not become a safe haven for US adversaries or a platform for drug traffickers, a key US condition for any normalization of relations.
Oil in exchange for political stability
On the economic front, the US administration appears to be adopting a pragmatic approach that links political stability to energy flows. President Trump has affirmed his support for Rodríguez remaining in power as long as Venezuelan oil continues to flow to global markets, reflecting Washington's desire to secure energy supplies and control global prices while maintaining its influence in Latin America's backyard.
Building trust amid complex balances
This move, part of a series of confidence-building measures designed to pave the way for continued engagement between Washington and Caracas, was carefully coordinated between the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon. The visit coincided with a complex political landscape, taking place the day after a phone call between Trump and Rodriguez, and simultaneously with Trump's meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House. This demonstrates Washington's strategy of maintaining control over all aspects of Venezuelan politics to safeguard its strategic interests.
