the first known contact between the two leaders since the ouster of Nicolas Maduro. "We just had a great conversation today, and she's a terrific person," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. He later said on social media that he and Rodriguez had discussed "many topics," including oil, minerals, trade and national security. "We are making tremendous progress," Trump said. After Maduro's capture in a deadly US special forces operation on January 3, Trump said he was content to let his former deputy Rodriguez take over -- as long as she gave the United States access to Venezuelan oil. He has suggested the United States could maintain oversight of the Caribbean country for years.

Rodriguez has been walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to meet Trump's demands without alienating Maduro loyalists, who control Venezuela's security forces and feared paramilitaries. Writing on Telegram, she described her call with the US leader as "productive and courteous" and characterized by "mutual respect." (Bssnews)