Venezuelan Opposition Meets With Pentagon, State Dept Officials

Venezuelan opposition official Carlos Vecchio met on Monday with top officials in both the Pentagon and US State Department in Washington. Officials have treated Vecchio as the de facto Ambassador to the US from Venezuela’s opposition, which the US recognizes as the rightful government.

Vecchio said that the talks had been “very positive,” and that the situation “continues to advance.” This appears to be a move toward the direct contact with the US military that some in the opposition have sought for awhile.

It also raises concern that the US might once again be considering military intervention in Venezuela to oust President Maduro and install opposition leader Juan Guaido. The State Department reiterated their opposition to negotiations with Maduro, saying there can be no talks with him.

The opposition is, however, talking with the Maduro government, even without US approval. The US position is that they already demanded Guaido take over the country, and expect that to happen unilaterally, or through military intervention.