WASHINGTON/CARACAS: Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Caracas on Thursday and met Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, in the highest‑level American visit to the South American nation since the ouster of former leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
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The two‑hour meeting, held at the direction of US President Donald Trump, was intended to signal Washington’s interest in stabilising relations and exploring areas of cooperation. A US official said Ratcliffe delivered a message that the United States looks forward to an improved working relationship with the Venezuelan leadership. Discussions included potential economic collaboration, intelligence cooperation and ensuring that Venezuela “is no longer a safe haven for America’s adversaries, especially narco‑traffickers.”
HISTORIC HANDSHAKE: First photos of CIA Director John Ratcliffe meeting with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez. Sources tell me the director delivered a blunt message that Venezuela can no longer consort with America’s enemies or support its drug cartels.l pic.twitter.com/wAWmyN5iDU
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) January 16, 2026
Rodriguez, formerly vice president under Maduro, assumed interim leadership following the capture of Maduro and his wife in a recent US military operation. While the Trump administration has engaged with Venezuela’s opposition, including opposition leader María Corina Machado — who recently presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump — it has so far backed Rodriguez as a stabilising figure, particularly as Venezuelan oil continues to flow.
The visit coincided with broader developments in US‑Venezuelan relations, including the resumption of deportation flights and ongoing talks on economic issues. US government sources described Ratcliffe’s trip as a “trust‑building measure” aimed at establishing channels of communication between Washington and Caracas.
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The engagement reflects a rare direct contact at senior levels between US intelligence leadership and Venezuelan authorities and marks a notable shift following years of strained relations. Analysts say it underscores Washington’s pragmatic focus on stability and security cooperation in the region.