Exclusive: The Trump administration has made secret contact with Venezuela's socialist party boss, Diosdado Cabello, who's considered the most powerful man in Venezuela after President Maduro. It's an effort to ratchet up pressure on the existing regime.
FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2019 file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, right, speaks with Constitutional Assembly President Diosdado Cabello at the Supreme Court during an annual ceremony that marks the start of the judicial year in Caracas, Venezuela. The U.S.
The AP is withholding the intermediary’s name and details of the encounter with Cabello out of concern the person could suffer reprisals. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the talks, which are still preliminary. It’s not clear whether the talks have Maduro’s approval or not.
A person familiar with the July encounter said Cabello appeared savvy and arrived to the meeting with the U.S.-backed envoy well prepared, with a clear understanding of Venezuela’s political problems. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the matter.
As head of the constitutional assembly, Cabello has the power to remove Maduro, a position that could come in handy in any negotiated transition. But to date he’s run the institution, which the U.S. considers illegitimate, as a rubber-stamping foil to the opposition-controlled congress, showing no signs of possible deception.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
AP Exclusive: US talks secretly to Venezuela socialist bossBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The U.S. has opened up secret communications with Venezuela's socialist party boss as members of President Nicolás Maduro's inner circle seek guarantees they won't face...
Read more »
AP Interview: Pelosi assails 'weakness' of Trump, NetanyahuHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday the U.S.-Israel relationship can withstand the "weakness" of President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who shook diplomatic norms this week in barring two members of Congress from visiting the country. "We have a deep relationship
Read more »
Signs of possible recession worry Trump ahead of 2020: APNew reporting from the Associated Press shows that behind closed doors, the Trump administration has serious concerns about the economy ahead of the 2020 presidential election, as President Trump accuses the media for manipulating the data to make him look bad. Morning Joe discusses.
Read more »
AP Exclusive: US talks secretly to Venezuela socialist bossBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The U.S. has opened up secret communications with Venezuela's socialist party boss as members of President Nicolás Maduro's inner circle seek guarantees they won't face...
Read more »
34% of economists in survey expect a US recession in 2021WASHINGTON (AP) — A number of U.S. business economists appear sufficiently concerned about the risks of some of President Donald Trump's economic policies that they expect a recession in the U.S....
Read more »