Oliver Blanco was sworn in as Venezuela’s new foreign minister on Thursday, succeeding Félix Plasencia. In a video posted to his X account, Blanco pledged to pursue a diplomacy that delivers “concrete results,” encourages “respectful dialogue,” and opens new avenues for investment and development. He said, “We are here to serve and listen to all, to those who share our ideas and to those who have different visions. We want an external service that represents all Venezuelans.” Blanco, who had served as deputy minister for Europe and North America since February, also called for a foreign service that respects all voices without exclusion or discrimination. He expressed pride in supporting the “democratic transformation process” led by acting president Delcy Rodríguez. Rodríguez, who has been in charge of the presidency since the resignation of former president Nicolás Maduro, announced that Plasencia would become director of International Affairs at the Presidency, with a specific task of recovering gold held at the Bank of England. When Blanco was named deputy minister in February, he stated that he does not belong to the ruling party and advocated a “firm” foreign policy for what he described as a new phase of Venezuela’s international relations. The appointments come amid growing pressure for presidential elections and the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado to Venezuela. Machado said that day that the country’s democratic transition is “irreversible.” The United States, under former President Donald Trump, has supported a roadmap to renew key Venezuelan institutions, including the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council, over the coming months. The plan is expected to lead Rodríguez to declare the presidency vacant and to open a six‑month window for the call of new elections.
Article source: El Nuevo Diario | Image credit: El Nuevo Diario