Sawt Falasteen - US envoy evokes transition to 'democratic' Venezuela

The US mission published a video on social media showing charge d'affaires Laura Dogu arrive at the US mission, which had been mostly shuttered since Caracas and Washington severed ties in 2019.

"The work has already begun," read a video caption.

Dogu arrived in Venezuela on Saturday and two days later met with interim president Delcy Rodriguez, who stepped into Maduro's shoes, during a visit to the presidential palace in Caracas.

"It's a historic moment for both countries," Dogu -- a former ambassador to Nicaragua and Honduras -- said in the video.

She pointed to a three-phase plan for the crisis-stricken South American country, starting with the restoration of security, followed by economic "recovery" and finally "the transition to a friendly, stable, prosperous and democratic Venezuela."

Venezuela's opposition has been clamoring for fresh elections since Rodriguez and other Maduro associates were left in power after American troops whisked him away in cuffs to stand trial in New York.

US President Donald Trump has expressed a willingness to work with Rodriguez and her team provided she toes Washington's line, particularly by granting access to Venezuela's vast oil resources, which she so far has done.

Venezuela said Monday that former foreign minister Felix Plasencia would head its mission in Washington.

Caracas and Washington severed diplomatic ties after Maduro's widely disputed claim to reelection in 2018, and the US embassy has been mostly deserted since the following year, barring a few local employees.

John McNamara has served as US charge d'affaires for Venezuela -- based in neighboring Colombia -- since last year.

A charge d'affaires heads a diplomatic mission in the absence of a full ambassador.

Y.Shaath--SF-PST