US senator on visit to Venezuela amid diplomatic detente
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – The Republican chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is making a surprise visit to Venezuela amid a U.S. effort to reduce tensions with the South American nation.
Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee is meeting Tuesday with members of Venezuela’s opposition, according to Maria Corina Machado, who said on Twitter she expects to meet with the lawmaker in the coming hours.
Corker’s office and the U.S. Embassy in Caracas didn’t respond to requests for comment.
It’s not clear if Corker will also talk with President Nicolas Maduro or members of his government. But the visit follows several high level meetings between Maduro and State Department envoys since the socialist leader met briefly with President Barack Obama in April on the sidelines of a regional summit.
