US Southern Command commander visits Venezuela, meets with interim authorities

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan visited Venezuela on Wednesday.

In what it described as “another historic day,” SOUTHCOM said Donovan started his visit in the capital Caracas by meeting with his team of Joint Force service members, who are currently positioned at US Embassy facilities, and his interagency partners.

Later, SOUTHCOM said Donovan met with interim Venezuelan authorities to assess the security environment and ensure the implementation of a three-phase plan laid out by the White House aimed at aligning Venezuela more closely with US interests.

Donovan was joined by US envoy Laura Dogu and Joseph M. Humire, US acting assistant Defense Secretary for Homeland Defense and the Americas, for "productive meetings" with the interim authorities, according to SOUTHCOM.

"The US is committed to a free, safe and prosperous Venezuela for the Venezuelan people, the United States, and the Western Hemisphere," it said.

Donovan assumed command of SOUTHCOM in early February during a ceremony at the Pentagon, taking over the leadership of the combatant command responsible for US military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.