CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas, less than two weeks after U.S. special forces reportedly ousted President Nicolás Maduro. The meeting occurred as opposition leader María Corina Machado declared her intention to become Venezuela's first elected female president.
Machado's remarks were broadcast on Friday, a day after she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump, acknowledging what she described as his principled and decisive action against Maduro. U.S. special forces allegedly apprehended Maduro on January 3.
"I believe I will be elected, when the right time comes, as president of Venezuela – the first woman president of Venezuela," Machado told Fox News, expressing her belief that freedom was approaching her country after years of economic turmoil and authoritarian rule under Maduro.
The CIA has not officially commented on Ratcliffe's visit or the circumstances surrounding Maduro's removal from power. The U.S. government has maintained a policy of supporting democratic transitions in Venezuela, citing concerns about human rights and the legitimacy of Maduro's previous elections.
Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president following Maduro's departure. Her administration has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the meeting with Ratcliffe, but sources indicate discussions centered on future relations between the two countries and potential pathways toward stability in Venezuela.
Machado, a conservative politician, has been a vocal critic of Maduro's government and has previously been barred from holding public office in Venezuela. Despite these challenges, she remains a prominent figure in the opposition movement and continues to garner support both domestically and internationally.
The political landscape in Venezuela remains uncertain, with ongoing questions about the legitimacy of the current government and the potential for future elections. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, and various countries have expressed differing views on the appropriate course of action for Venezuela's future.
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