Venezuela’s Maduro taps new foreign minister in cabinet shake-up

Venezuela’s Maduro taps new foreign minister in cabinet shake-up

Photo: Leonardo Fernández Viloria – Reuters

 

Maduro is pressing for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe.

By Aljazeera

Aug 19, 2021

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has named a new foreign minister in a cabinet shake-up that comes amid negotiations with the opposition meant to ease the country’s political deadlock.

Félix Plasencia, Venezuela’s envoy to China, will now serve as Venezuela’s top diplomat, while outgoing Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza will serve as industry and production minister, President Maduro wrote on Twitter.

Plasencia “has the immense responsibility of continuing the excellent diplomatic work carried out by Jorge Arreaza”, Maduro wrote.

“We must ensure the triumph of our Peace Diplomacy around the world.”

Maduro is pressing for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe against Venezuelan officials and institutions for the state’s suppression of democracy in the oil-producing South American country.

US President Joe Biden’s administration has maintained measures against Venezuela’s economy and continued support for opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Maduro’s latest cabinet shuffle also brings changes to the education, interior and mining ministries.

The opposition and the government last week opened talks in Mexico City in which the opposition is seeking improved electoral conditions and the release of imprisoned activists while Maduro allies are pushing for an end to US sanctions.

Maduro had on August 16 expressed optimism about talks with the opposition, saying at a news conference in Caracas the discussions had got off to a “good start”.

Read More: Aljazeera – Venezuela’s Maduro taps new foreign minister in cabinet shake-up

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