US Envoy Arrives in Venezuela to Reopen Diplomatic Mission After Seven Years

US Envoy Arrives in Venezuela Amid Privatization Efforts

Laura Dogu, the top United States envoy for Venezuela, has arrived in Caracas, marking the reopening of a US diplomatic mission that had been closed seven years ago. The move comes as Venezuela moves to privatize its oil sector under pressure from the Trump administration.

Dogue announced her arrival on X, stating that she and her team are ready to work. Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil confirmed Dogu’s visit, indicating that talks will focus on creating a “roadmap on matters of bilateral interest” as well as addressing existing differences through diplomatic dialogue.

The US broke off diplomatic relations with Venezuela in February 2019, following President Donald Trump’s public support for opposition leader Juan Guaido. The Venezuelan government has since sought to oversee the treatment of deposed president Nicolas Maduro, who was abducted by US forces on orders from Trump and is currently facing charges in New York.

The Trump administration has been pushing for increased privatization of Venezuela’s oil sector, with a deal recently reached to export up to $2 billion worth of crude to the US. A reform bill signed into law by Interim President Delcy Rodriguez will pave the way for private firms to control the sale and production of Venezuelan oil.

The legislation also includes provisions that would cap royalties collected by the government at 30 percent, a change sought by foreign companies. The Trump administration has announced plans to loosen sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and allow limited transactions by the government and state-owned PDVSA for export-related activities involving US entities.

Rodriguez has also announced an amnesty bill aimed at releasing hundreds of prisoners in the country, as well as plans to shut down El Helicoide prison and replace it with a sports and cultural centre.

Source: Al Jazeera