Photo: U.S. State Department (archive photo)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Venezuela’s newly appointed foreign minister, Oliver Blanco, in Washington on Monday, in what EFE described as the first meeting between the countries’ foreign ministers since diplomatic relations were restored earlier this year.
The State Department’s public schedule listed the meeting for noon at its Washington headquarters, with a brief appearance before cameras at the start. EFE, in a report carried by El Universo, said the two officials posed for the press shortly after midday but made no statement and answered no questions during that appearance.
The encounter puts Blanco into direct talks with the top U.S. diplomat only days after his appointment.
A new foreign minister takes up the U.S. relationship
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, appointed Blanco on Thursday to replace Felix Plasencia, who moved to the presidency’s international affairs office, EFE reported.
Blanco met John Barrett, the charge d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, on Friday. In a subsequent social-media post quoted by EFE, Blanco reaffirmed a commitment to strengthening bilateral dialogue and cooperation under Rodriguez’s leadership.
Monday’s Washington meeting followed the restoration of diplomatic relations after the capture of Nicolas Maduro earlier this year, according to EFE. The two ministers stood between U.S. and Venezuelan flags during their brief press appearance.
Election commitments remain background to the talks
Rodriguez said Thursday that Venezuela would hold all elections required by its constitution, but gave no date, EFE reported. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on October 25 after almost a year abroad and has repeatedly called for elections, the agency said.
EFE described the Trump administration as supporting a roadmap to renew key Venezuelan institutions, with a process intended to lead to a presidential vacancy in 2027 and then a six-month period for elections. That account describes the political background to the meeting, not a new election commitment announced by Rubio or Blanco on Monday.
The State Department scheduled no regular press briefing for Monday. Its public schedule confirms the planned meeting and press access, but does not state the talks’ outcome.
JBizNews Desk | Washington
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