A US military delegation, including Army Commander for Latin America General Francis Donovan and a senior Pentagon official, recently met with Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez, along with the defense and interior ministers. This meeting is seen as part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to leverage military force and energy policy to push Venezuela towards significant reforms. American involvement in Venezuela has historically been contentious, revolving around oil reserves and perceived anti-imperialist sentiments from Caracas.

The relationship between Venezuela and the United States has been strained for many years, particularly after the election of former army officer Hugo Chavez in 1998, who famously declared a fight against 'US imperialism' as one of his goals. Chavez's government nationalized the oil industry, which had attracted considerable interest from American companies due to Venezuela's vast reserves, the largest in the world. Following Chavez's death in 2013, Nicolas Maduro took power and continued his predecessor's policy of resistance against perceived foreign intervention.

The recent visit from the US military delegation, along with the earlier visit from US Energy Secretary Rick Perry, highlights the ongoing tensions and the US's strategic interests in the region. The discussions about drug trafficking cooperation hint at a potential area of compromise, as both nations grapple with the broader implications of illegal drug trade and regional security, which could lead to evolving diplomatic and military dynamics in the future.