State Media: Venezuela's Maduro Visits Saudi Arabia

Voice of America
05 Jun 2023, 23:07 GMT+10

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, state media reported, as the kingdom continues to expand its diplomatic outreach beyond traditional Western alliances.

Maduro was received at the airport of the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah by Deputy Governor of Mecca region Prince Badr bin Sultan and other officials, Saudi state news agency SPA said.

Venezuela's Maduro is the latest U.S. foe to visit Saudi Arabia as the kingdom rebuilds alliances without the blessing of the United States, its long-time ally. Riyadh has restored ties with Iran and Syria over the last months and strengthened its cooperation with China and Russia.

SPA did not give a reason for Maduro's visit but the fellow OPEC nation had sought coordination in the past with Saudi Arabia on falling oil prices and U.S. sanctions.

Maduro's visit comes a day before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken lands in Saudi Arabia for talks with the Saudi leadership.

Since taking office, U.S. President Joe Biden has eased some sanctions on Venezuela - many imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump in a 'maximum pressure' campaign - to encourage dialogue. But negotiations have stalled again.

The United States says it will ease sanctions on the OPEC nation only in return for concrete steps toward free elections there.

Reuters
Subscribe

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Iraq Sun.

More Information

30 ℃

Mostly Cloudy in Baghdad

International

Section

UN's envoy for Cyprus peace talks backed by European Parliament

STRASBOURG, France: The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has voiced the legislative body's support for appointing a United ...

Fire in nightclub in Spain kills 13, injures many others

MURCIA, Spain: Authorities said a nightclub fire over the weekend in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia killed 13 people ...

International Longshore and Warehouse Union declares bankruptcy

SAN FRANCISCO, California: To resolve a pending litigation with the Oregon affiliate of the International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI), ...

Drought compels Panama Canal to reduce ships passing through to 31

PANAMA CITY, Panama: On September 30, the Panama Canal said that due to a drought that has reduced the supply ...

First flight from Libya to Italy in 10 years, takes off from Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Libya: Italy and Libya resumed commercial flights for the first time in ten years on September 30, with flight ...

Maine fire destroys Jamie Wyeth paintings, guts historical buildings

SAINT GEORGE, Maine: A fire destroyed several waterfront buildings in Maine on September 29, including an art gallery with several ...

Arab

Section