By Micah Jonah
January 16, 2026
CIA Director, John Ratcliffe met Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodriguez in Caracas on Thursday to discuss cooperation, marking the most senior known visit by a U.S. official since Washington toppled President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, a U.S. official said.
The meeting, held at the direction of President Donald Trump, focused on intelligence cooperation, economic stability and ensuring Venezuela does not serve as a safe haven for U.S. adversaries, particularly drug trafficking networks.
Rodriguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, assumed the interim presidency after U.S. forces seized Maduro and transferred him to the United States to face drug-related charges. Washington has described Rodriguez as a stabilizing interim figure, despite her previous criticism of the U.S. action against Maduro.
The two-hour talks were aimed at building trust between Washington and Caracas, with U.S. officials stressing that Venezuela must sever any ties to criminal groups such as Tren de Aragua.
Trump also spoke with Rodriguez by phone on Wednesday, with both sides separately describing the call as positive, as the two countries cautiously navigate a new phase in relations following the leadership change in Caracas.
