He was cautious about Colombia's allegations

US ambassador-designate to Venezuela vows to support democracy

"There is room for improved cooperation,” he said, adding that if confirmed by the Senate he would increase contacts with members of the civil society in both countries to find “common ground on which to cooperate”

Western Hemisphere
Larry Palmer, the US ambassador-designate to Venezuela, disclosed in a hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the priorities of his mission in Venezuela. Palmer said that a key component of his work would include support for human rights, and democratic freedoms in Venezuela.

"If confirmed, a key component of my work will include support for democracy, human rights, and fundamental democratic freedoms," Palmer stressed, as reported by AFP.

"There is room for improved cooperation," Palmer said in the hearing. He added that if confirmed by the Senate he would increase contacts with members of the civil society in both countries to find "common ground on which to cooperate."

"In case of nationalizations, I will work with the Venezuelan government to fulfill its obligations to provide adequate compensation for any expropriations," Palmer stressed.

In a cautious tone, typical of US diplomats who have not yet been confirmed in their posts, Palmer referred to Colombia's claims that 1,500 leftwing rebel troops are hiding in Venezuelan territory. ""We do support the call of the OAS to dialogue." He hoped that Venezuela and Colombia can "settle their differences" peacefully.

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Venezuelan government gives aid to farmers hit by rains

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