CIA Director Meets New Venezuelan Leader Amid Political and Economic Reforms

Wed Feb 18 2026 12:00:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

CIA director John Ratcliffe's meeting with interim President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas signals a strategic shift in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, as discussions touch on economic collaboration and reforms in the oil industry.

CIA director John Ratcliffe held a significant two-hour meeting with Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, in Caracas, focusing on trust-building measures following the recent seizure of Nicolás Maduro. During the meeting, they discussed economic collaboration and potential reforms in Venezuela's oil sector aimed at attracting foreign investment. Rodríguez, who announced reforms allowing greater foreign participation in the oil industry, emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement with the U.S. amidst a backdrop of economic crisis and national unity efforts.

CIA director John Ratcliffe met Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas on Thursday at President Trump's direction, a US official has said.

The two-hour meeting was aimed at building trust and communication following the US seizure of Venezuela's former president Nicolás Maduro almost two weeks ago.

Ratcliffe and Rodríguez discussed potential economic collaboration, emphasizing that Venezuela can no longer be a safe haven for America's adversaries, according to the US official.

The meeting occurred on the same day Rodríguez delivered her first state of the union address since assuming the interim presidency, wherein she announced oil industry reforms to allow more foreign investment—marking a departure from Maduro's policies.

During her speech to the nation, Rodríguez asserted her readiness to engage with the US diplomatically, asserting Venezuela's need to defend its dignity and honour.

President Donald Trump has announced that US oil companies will invest in Venezuela, with expectations that the investment will financially benefit both Venezuelans and Americans. One official indicated that the US would control the sales of sanctioned Venezuelan oil indefinitely.

Trump has urged oil companies to invest at least $100 billion in Venezuela, but some executives have labeled the country as currently uninvestable.

Sworn in on January 5, Rodríguez succeeded Maduro after US forces took him and his wife Cilia Flores into custody in Caracas. They are now detained in New York facing drug trafficking charges.

The US official characterized the meeting as historic, noting that Ratcliffe was the first cabinet-level official to visit Venezuela.

On the same day, Trump met with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in Washington, who presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to him.

In her address, Rodríguez described the challenges of delivering Maduro's annual report, stating that they collaborated on it just hours before his seizure.

Rodríguez emphasized the importance of national unity to engage diplomatically, stating she would go to Washington to meet Trump if necessary, emphasizing Venezuela's sovereignty.

She articulated that all of Venezuela is threatened and underscored the necessity of working together to face challenges.

Rodríguez additionally proposed reforms to the country's hydrocarbon law to facilitate foreign investment, moving away from previous mandates that required foreign partners to cede majority stakes to Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA.

The reforms aim to enhance investment opportunities in new oil fields and establish two sovereign funds: one for social protection and another for infrastructure and social development.

Venezuela is grappling with a severe economic crisis characterized by soaring food prices and shrinking purchasing power. Amidst this backdrop, Rodríguez's proposals are seen in light of increased interest from Trump and US investors in the country, noted for having the world's largest proven oil reserves.

US oil executives have acknowledged Venezuela's potential as an attractive opportunity, yet recognized that significant reforms are required for it to become an investable market. Trump stated that his administration would oversee which companies could operate in Venezuela, aiming for lower energy prices in the US.

The relationship between Venezuela and international oil companies has been complex, with Chevron being the last significant American oil firm still operational in the country.