Biden, Venezuela leader discuss improving relations

[alp227]

Source: AP

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Last year saw a rapid deterioration of relations between their countries, but on New Year's Day, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shook hands and expressed their desire for restored ties.

The brief, impromptu meeting in Brazil came two weeks after President Barack Obama signed legislation to impose sanctions on Venezuelan officials accused of violating human rights. Days before the sanctions were approved, Maduro had called on all Venezuelans to burn their U.S. visas in protest of "imperialist Yankee" policies.

A photograph of Biden and Maduro smiling warmly at each other at the swearing in of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff became a meme Friday, with Venezuelans inventing their own thought bubbles.

According to a U.S. administration official traveling with the vice president, Maduro told Biden he wants to improve U.S.-Venezuela ties, but is concerned about the sanctions. The official insisted on not being quoted by name in discussing what was a private diplomatic conversation.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/cb0f8669e9844019a6b356060c79dd95/biden-venezuela-leader-discuss-improving-relations

[hack89]

1. This will put Maduro in a bind

what happens when he has a good relationship with the evil USA and things are still going to shit in Venezuela due to government corruption and mismanagement? Who is he going to blame?

[joshcryer]

2. +1

[FLPanhandle]

3. Exactly. He needs the US bogeyman

Otherwise, he has to take responsibility for his own failures.

[FairWinds]

4. So the international pariah torture state . .

has the temerity to judge other's human rights practices?
Exceptionalism Alert!