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 comments 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 move against Maduro." U.S. special forces allegedly captured Maduro on January 3.
Speaking to Fox News, Machado, a conservative politician, predicted that "freedom was coming" to Venezuela after years of economic turmoil and authoritarian rule under Maduro. "And I believe I will be elected, when the right time comes, as president of Venezuela – the first woman president of Venezuela," she stated.
The visit by Ratcliffe and Machado's pronouncements occur against a backdrop of political instability and economic hardship in Venezuela. Maduro's government has faced widespread criticism for its handling of the economy, human rights abuses, and suppression of political dissent. The United States has imposed sanctions on Venezuela in an effort to pressure Maduro to step down and allow for free and fair elections.
Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president following Maduro's removal. Her meeting with Ratcliffe suggests a potential shift in relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, though the details of their discussion remain undisclosed. The CIA has not officially commented on its alleged role in Maduro's ouster.
Machado's vow to run for president adds another layer of complexity to the Venezuelan political landscape. Despite being a prominent opposition figure, her path to the presidency is uncertain, given the existing political structures and the potential for government interference. The timing and conditions for future elections in Venezuela remain unclear.
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