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Swiss sign agreement to protect U.S. interests in Venezuela
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS APRIL 5, 2019 / 1:08 PM / UPDATED 5 HOURS AGO
Swiss sign agreement to protect U.S. interests in Venezuela
Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi
2 MIN READ
ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland and the United States signed an agreement on Friday for the neutral country to represent U.S. interests in Venezuela, which broke off diplomatic relations with Washington after it recognised the opposition leader as president.
The mandate, signed by Switzerland’s foreign minister and the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland in Berne, should help defuse tensions between the United States and Venezuela, the Swiss government said, but first Venezuela must agree to let Switzerland take on the role.
“The mandate provides Switzerland the opportunity to contribute to de-escalating tensions between the two countries and thus play a constructive role on behalf of regional stability,” a Swiss government statement announcing the agreement said, noting such stability would also be in the interest of Venezuela’s neighbouring countries.
The United States and dozens of other countries stand at odds with the government of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, recognising opposition leader Juan Guaido as its legitimate president.
The United States withdrew all remaining diplomatic personnel in Venezuela earlier this month, following a Jan. 24 decision to withdraw all dependents and reduce embassy staff to a minimum in the South American country.
-snip-
Swiss sign agreement to protect U.S. interests in Venezuela
Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi
2 MIN READ
ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland and the United States signed an agreement on Friday for the neutral country to represent U.S. interests in Venezuela, which broke off diplomatic relations with Washington after it recognised the opposition leader as president.
The mandate, signed by Switzerland’s foreign minister and the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland in Berne, should help defuse tensions between the United States and Venezuela, the Swiss government said, but first Venezuela must agree to let Switzerland take on the role.
“The mandate provides Switzerland the opportunity to contribute to de-escalating tensions between the two countries and thus play a constructive role on behalf of regional stability,” a Swiss government statement announcing the agreement said, noting such stability would also be in the interest of Venezuela’s neighbouring countries.
The United States and dozens of other countries stand at odds with the government of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, recognising opposition leader Juan Guaido as its legitimate president.
The United States withdrew all remaining diplomatic personnel in Venezuela earlier this month, following a Jan. 24 decision to withdraw all dependents and reduce embassy staff to a minimum in the South American country.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela-swiss/swiss-sign-agreement-to-protect-u-s-interests-in-venezuela-idUSKCN1RH22D
