CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a significant trip to Caracas on Thursday, where he held direct talks with Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez. This high-level meeting, confirmed by a U.S. official to Reuters, signals a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between Washington and Caracas.
Agenda of the Caracas Meeting
The discussions between the top U.S. intelligence official and the Venezuelan leader covered two main areas. Firstly, they explored potential paths for economic collaboration between the two nations. Secondly, Director Ratcliffe delivered a firm message, stating it was unacceptable for Venezuela to continue operating as a safe haven for America's adversaries, with a specific focus on narcotraffickers.
This diplomatic engagement, initially reported by the New York Times, occurs against a backdrop of heightened U.S. involvement in Venezuelan affairs. Following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, President Donald Trump has increasingly asserted U.S. influence, particularly over Venezuela's crucial oil sector. Trump has publicly stated that the United States will effectively "run" the country post-Maduro.
Political Calculus: Rodríguez Over Machado
The Trump administration's current strategy involves backing the longtime regime insider, Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro's deputy, over opposition figure María Corina Machado. This decision, revealed to lawmakers in a briefing, is not viewed as a full regime change operation since the government structure remains under Rodríguez.
The choice was influenced by a classified CIA analysis that assessed the immediate fallout of Maduro's removal and the short-term stability of the country. Senior U.S. policymakers commissioned this intelligence assessment, and the CIA is expected to continue advising on the leadership situation in Venezuela.
In a notable contrast, opposition leader Machado met with President Trump on the same day as the Caracas meeting, reportedly presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal.
CIA's Role in Maduro's Capture and New Intelligence Push
The CIA's involvement in Venezuela extends far beyond diplomacy. The agency played a key role in the operation that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture. Sources indicate that as early as August, the CIA covertly inserted a small team into Venezuela to track Maduro's movements and daily routines, providing critical support for the successful operation this month. One asset within the Venezuelan government was instrumental in pinpointing Maduro's exact location.
The U.S. official stated that Ratcliffe's meeting with Rodríguez was also aimed at building trust and reflects the CIA director's personal push for a more aggressive human intelligence (HUMINT) posture. This approach advocates for stronger on-the-ground intelligence gathering and a less risk-averse operational culture within the agency.
The situation remains fluid, with the CIA positioned at the center of both intelligence operations and diplomatic outreach as the United States navigates its next steps in Venezuela.
