CIA chief meets Venezuela’s new leader as Machado insists she will become president
A sudden shift in Venezuela
The political scene in Venezuela has changed fast. Less than two weeks after the dramatic capture of Nicolás Maduro, the CIA director John Ratcliffe arrived in Caracas and met Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president who stepped in after Maduro’s removal.
His visit showed how the United States plans to work with the new leadership, even though many in the opposition feel left out.
Machado still claims her path to the presidency
María Corina Machado, who says she won the 2024 election, insists she will still become Venezuela’s first elected female president.
She told US media she believes change is close and that she will lead the country when the time is right. Her confidence comes even though her political space has narrowed since Maduro fell.
Machado also handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump. She said it was a gesture of support for his “decisive move” against Maduro.
Experts think she hoped the gift would push Trump to back her. Instead, it seems to have had no effect.
Trump’s choice surprises the opposition
Trump quickly showed support for Delcy Rodríguez instead of Machado. He praised Rodríguez and said she could keep stability in a moment when the country faces risk of violence.
Analysts say Trump believes only Maduro’s old inner-circle can control the security forces and prevent chaos.
Rodríguez has already agreed to US demands. She opened the country’s oil sector to American companies and accepted deportation flights from the US. This helped her build trust with Washington at a crucial time.
Opposition feels pushed aside
Venezuelan analysts say the opposition feels ignored. They expected Trump to clear the way for Machado after Maduro’s fall.
Instead, they watched him work with the very people who supported Maduro for years. One expert said the opposition is “out of the game for now” and has no real influence on current decisions.
Machado’s supporters hoped the capture of Maduro would bring fast democratic change. Instead, they see the US focusing on stability before elections.
CIA director’s visit raises questions
Ratcliffe’s trip shocked many. His agents reportedly helped locate Maduro inside what should have been Venezuela’s safest building. Reports claim they had detailed information about his food and even his pets.
Days later, the same US official who helped remove Maduro walked openly into the presidential palace to meet his successor.
Some called it humiliating for Rodríguez to welcome the head of the agency that worked against her former leader.
Others said it showed she is willing to make any deal needed to stay in power and rebuild ties with Washington.
A major shift in Venezuela’s story
The core message is simple. After years of anti-US speeches from Maduro and his allies, the new acting government is now talking about friendship with Washington. Critics say this breaks everything Chavismo claimed to stand for.
Machado, once seen as the future of the opposition, is now stuck on the sidelines. Rodríguez is in control for now.
Trump is backing her. The CIA is in contact with her team. And the US is moving fast to secure oil and stability before thinking about elections.
What comes next
Venezuela stands at a turning point. The country has a power shift, a divided opposition, and a US government that prefers stability over rapid political change.
Machado still promises she will eventually lead the country. For the moment, she is watching from the outside while Rodríguez holds the seat and Washington shapes the next steps.