CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly met with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday in Caracas to discuss economic cooperation and intensifying efforts against drug trafficking.  An American official told The New York Times that the purpose of Ratcliffe’s meeting was “to deliver the message that the United States looks forward to an improved working relationship” with Venezuela. Rodriguez, who spoke with President Donald Trump during a phone call on Wednesday, became the interim leader of Venezuela after American forces captured dictator Nicolás Maduro. “During the meeting in Caracas, Director Ratcliffe discussed potential opportunities for economic collaboration and that Venezuela can no longer be a safe haven for America’s adversaries, especially narcotraffickers,” an American official confirmed to CNN.  The unidentified American official told the Times that allowing Rodriguez to remain in power for now would help prevent Venezuela from “descending into some chaotic situation” and would allow her to “cooperate and coordinate with the U.S. government.” Before Maduro’s capture, the CIA carried out a reported strike on a Venezuelan port that U.S. officials said was used to load drugs onto boats bound for North America. Earlier this month, Trump announced a controversial oil deal with Venezuela in which the country would provide the United States with between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned crude oil. With the money made from oil sales, Trump said that Venezuela would purchase American agricultural, medical, and electrical equipment.  Ratcliffe’s meeting with Rodriguez came after Trump met with Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado.  “María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” said Trump. “Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, María!” Top Trump officials have reiterated the administration’s commitment to long-term democratic elections in Venezuela; however, the president has not set a timeline for when elections might take place. ​​“We have to fix the country first. You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote,” Trump said in an interview last week. “No, it’s going to take a period of time. We have to nurse the country back to health.”