Overview
- John Ratcliffe met Thursday in Caracas with interim president Delcy Rodríguez for two hours at President Trump's direction to build trust and signal a desire for improved ties.
- A U.S. official said the talks focused on intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and a warning that Venezuela cannot serve as a safe haven for adversaries or narco‑traffickers, including Tren de Aragua.
- It was the most senior known U.S. visit since Nicolás Maduro was captured and brought to New York, where he was arraigned on drug‑related charges earlier this month.
- The engagement followed a phone call between Trump and Rodríguez that both described as positive, and coincided with Trump’s separate meeting with opposition leader María Corina Machado.
- U.S. officials view Rodríguez as best positioned to preserve short‑term stability despite her criticism of Maduro’s capture and calls for his return.