again." Wright met interim leader Delcy Rodriguez in Caracas, becoming the highest-ranking US official to visit Venezuela since US special forces captured and overthrew socialist leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3. After talks with Rodriguez, who took over from Maduro and has struck a cooperative relationship with US President Donald Trump, Wright told reporters relations between the nations were "at a pivot in history." "I believe we will see an absolutely dramatic turn in the trajectory of this nation, in the state of the relationship between Venezuela and the United States, and in the business conditions in the hemisphere for commerce and trade," he added. In a meeting earlier with Rodriguez and oil industry executives, Wright insisted Trump was "passionately committed" to transforming ties between the two former foes. Rodriguez said she supported a "long-term productive partnership" that was "beneficial to both countries." Trump approved former vice-president Rodriguez's replacement of Maduro on the condition she complies with his demands on access to Venezuela's vast oil resources, and on easing state repression. Venezuela, once a major crude supplier to the United States, has the world's largest proven reserves with more than 303 billion barrels, according to global oil cartel OPEC. This amounts to about a fifth of the world's oil reserves. (Bssnews)