The New York Times reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with senior Venezuelan official Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas, citing a U.S. official. The trip, reportedly made at President Trump's direction, was said to convey a U.S. interest in improved working relations and covered intelligence cooperation, economic stability and curbing narco‑trafficking. Reuters could not immediately verify the meeting and the White House did not comment.
CIA Director Reportedly Met Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas as U.S. Seeks Improved Ties
CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrives to brief senators on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
The New York Times reported on Friday, citing a U.S. official, that CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with senior Venezuelan official Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas. Reuters has not been able to independently verify the account, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to the Times, Ratcliffe traveled to Venezuela at the direction of U.S. President Donald Trump to "deliver the message that the United States looks forward to an improved working relationship." The meeting reportedly covered intelligence cooperation, measures to support economic stability and efforts to ensure Venezuela does not become a "safe haven for America's adversaries, especially narco-traffickers."
Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime ally and former vice president under Nicolás Maduro, has in the past engaged in talks with U.S. representatives. While serving as vice president she participated in negotiations with former U.S. envoy Richard Grenell and others on proposals aimed at securing Maduro's voluntary departure, the newspaper said.
Rodríguez has publicly criticized the Trump administration in the past, at one point accusing it of "kidnapping" Maduro and calling for his return. Still, U.S. officials have signaled that they may view her as a pragmatic interlocutor if doing so helps preserve stability in Venezuela, the report added.
Note: Reuters could not immediately verify the meeting described by the New York Times.
(Reporting by Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison Williams and Peter Graff)
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