Nicolás Maduro dismissed Jorge Ariza from the post of Venezuelan Foreign Minister: he will be replaced by Felix Placencia

Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro sacked Jorge Arreza as Venezuela’s foreign minister on Thursday and named instead Felix Placencia After the first round of dialogue with the opposition in Mexico.

“Comrade Jorge Ariza appointed Minister of Industries and National Production. With their ability to work, intelligence and commitment, we will advance with greater force in revitalizing the productive forces of the nation. Produce everything in Venezuela, that’s the goal! Maduro announced on Twitter.

Likewise, I have appointed the new Chancellor of the Republic, Mr. Felix Placencia. He has an enormous responsibility to continue the excellent diplomatic work done by Jorge Ariza. More and more, let’s make our peace diplomacy triumph in the world,” added the dictator.

The appointment of Placencia is part of a broader reorganization of the Chavista dictator’s cabinet. Plasencia took up embassy in Beijing in November 2020. Previously, he was Minister of Tourism (2019) and Deputy Minister in the External Relations portfolio.

Maduro has also been appointed principal admiral Picture of Remigio Ceballos as new Minister of Internal Relations, Justice and Peace Deputy Prime Minister for Citizen Security.

“His experience in the National Football Association, his great moral and ethical capacity, and his loyalty to the homeland are a guarantee of stability and peace”, Maduro wrote about Ceballos, who until July was the head of the Strategic Operations Command, the second most important position in the armed forces after the defense minister. In his four-year position, Ceballos was sanctioned by the United States, Great Britain, and the European Union.

Also, Governor of Monagas Yeletsi Santaella took over the Ministry of People’s Power for Education, While Margod Godoy will be the new Minister for Women NS William Serrantes Pinto He is the new Minister of Ecological Mining Development.

Mervyn MaldonadoWho was Minister of Sports, a new appointment Vice President of Social and Regional Socialism.

Peace negotiations

Changes come after the start of the regime and the opposition Dialogue process Last Friday in MexicoWith the initial aim of seeking peace and resolving the crisis in the Caribbean nation.

With this process, promoted by Norway, The opposition is demanding “free, transparent and fair” elections., While Maduro wants to lift international sanctions.

On Sunday, the opposition and the regime agreed to continue their negotiations on From 3 to 6 September.

On Monday, the Venezuelan dictator said he would propose “opening a direct dialogue” with the US government.After breaking off relations two years ago.

“We will propose to the Mexican table the opening of a direct dialogue with the United States government to deal with all bilateral matters. And if we put an agenda on the table, we can put forward the return of the Chargé d’AffairsThe president said at a press conference with the world media.

On the other hand, Maduro stressed that the dialogues that began last Friday with the opposition in Mexico “really successful.” He celebrated the signing of a memorandum that officially started the negotiations, which he described as “peace.”

The United States, the European Union and Canada rated the negotiations as positive

In a joint statement dated August 14, a day after talks officially began in Mexico City, and signed by the Foreign Minister Anthony J. BlinkenHigh Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep BorrellCanadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark JarnowThey demanded the restoration of democratic institutions in the country.

“We hope that this process will allow all Venezuelans to express themselves politically through free and fair local, parliamentary and presidential elections,” he added., they confirmed; They urged all parties to work in good faith towards reaching lasting agreements leading to a comprehensive solution to the Venezuelan crisis.

Democratic opposition factions have worked hard to build a unified platform, and we recognize the need for such unity to move these negotiations forward. We appreciate the constructive role of the Kingdom of Norway as a mediator for these negotiationsThey added.

In the statement, however, They made it clear that the United States, the European Union and Canada continue toCall for the unconditional release of all persons unjustly detained for political reasons, the independence of political parties, freedom of expression, including members of the press, and an end to human rights violations.“.

In addition, they demand “Electoral conditions are guaranteed governed by international standards of democracy, starting with local and regional elections scheduled for November 2021.”

(with information from the EFE and AFP)

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