Top US military commander visits Venezuela, meets new leader following operation to capture Maduro
The head of U.S. Southern Command visited Venezuela to meet with the acting president shortly after the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. Southern Command's commander, Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, made a surprise visit to Venezuela, marking the first such trip by a U.S. military delegation since the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro. This visit was important, occurring just weeks after Maduro's capture, as it signifies the U.S. engagement with Venezuelan authorities in light of recent political changes.
The meeting included other U.S. officials such as Ambassador Laura F. Dogu and Joseph M. Humire, the Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Homeland Defense and the Americas. The discussions focused on reinforcing U.S. commitment to the stabilization of Venezuela and supporting a safe and prosperous future for the country and its people, which directly reflects U.S. foreign policy objectives in the region.
The visit highlights the evolving dynamics in Venezuela following the removal of Maduro, as the U.S. seeks to cultivate bilateral relations with the new interim authority. The implications of this meeting may lead to further U.S. involvement in Venezuelan affairs, enhancing security collaboration, and shaping the political landscape in the Western Hemisphere, particularly under the current U.S. administration's geopolitical strategy.