CIA Director Held a Two-Hour Meeting with Venezuela's New Leader Delcy Rodriguez
John Ratcliffe met with Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday, becoming the first high-ranking Washington official to arrive in Caracas since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro almost two weeks ago, writes the BBC.
Delcy Rodriguez. Photo: Jesus Vargas / Getty Images
As an unnamed American official told reporters on Friday, the CIA chief flew to Venezuela at the request of US President Donald Trump, and the meeting with Rodriguez lasted approximately two hours.
"At the direction of President Trump, Director Ratcliffe visited Venezuela to meet with interim President Delcy Rodriguez and convey a message that the US hopes for improved working relations. During the meeting in Caracas, Ratcliffe discussed potential opportunities for economic cooperation and the fact that Venezuela can no longer be a safe haven for America's adversaries, especially drug traffickers," he said.
The meeting took place on the same day that Rodriguez delivered her first address to the nation since taking office, announcing reforms in the oil industry aimed at attracting new foreign investment.
Previously, Venezuelan law stipulated that foreign partners had to cooperate with the state oil and gas company PDVSA, which was required to hold a controlling stake.
Rodriguez stated that the reforms "will allow these investment flows to be directed into new areas — those where there has never been investment, and into regions without infrastructure," and that funds from oil sales will go towards the needs of workers and the financing of public services.
President Donald Trump announced that American oil companies would begin operations in Venezuela, and the profits from their activities would be directed both to the country's population and to the US. Until now, only the American company Chevron was allowed to operate in the country.
Leaders of the largest US oil companies, who participated in a White House meeting last week, acknowledged that Venezuela is an attractive place for investment but requires serious transformations.
"You will deal directly with us. You will have no dealings with Venezuela. We do not want you to deal with Venezuela," Trump stated, adding that his administration would decide which companies are allowed to operate in Venezuela.
In her address to the nation, Delcy Rodriguez stated that she is not afraid to confront the US "at a diplomatic level through political dialogue," adding that Venezuela must defend its "honor and dignity."
"If I ever have to go to Washington as acting president, I will do so confidently, standing, not crawling," she said.
Trump and Rodriguez spoke on the phone on Wednesday, and both sides called the conversation positive.
The CIA Director's visit to Caracas also coincided with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado's visit to the White House. During her meeting with the US President, Machado presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize.
However, Trump refused to support Machado as Venezuela's new leader, stating that she lacks sufficient support within the country.
Speaking at an event in Washington on Friday, Machado stated that Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez is receiving "orders," implying they are coming from Washington.
"She is not acting of her own free will, but is following orders," Machado said.
The opposition leader also stated that she is confident that an "orderly transition" of power will occur in her country.
"The result of a stable transition will be a proud Venezuela that will be the best ally of the United States in North and South America," she declared.
In an earlier interview with American television channel Fox News, Machado said she would lead the country "when the time comes."
"We have a mission, and we will transform Venezuela into a prosperous land. I believe that when the time comes, I will be elected president of Venezuela — the first woman president," she declared.
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