The acting president of Venezuela has launched another round of personnel reshuffles, this time replacing the foreign minister.

On July 13, Venezuela's acting president Rodríguez announced a restructuring via social media: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Trade will be merged into a single entity—the Ministry of Foreign and International Trade. Felix Plasencia has been appointed as the new minister, while former foreign minister Iván Hil will be reassigned to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

This move sends clear signals.

Plasencia is no newcomer. He previously served as foreign minister from 2021 to 2022, and earlier this year was specifically named by Rodríguez to serve as Venezuela’s diplomatic representative to the United States—making him one of the few familiar faces within Maduro’s inner circle with direct experience negotiating with Washington. His return to the foreign ministry, now also overseeing foreign trade, unmistakably indicates two things: first, that diplomacy must be closely tied to the country’s oil revenue pipeline; second, that Venezuela remains committed to maintaining its engagement with the U.S.

After all, what Venezuela currently lacks most are two things—relief from sanctions and a revival of exports.

Hil’s transfer to the Ministry of Science and Technology is a dignified step down, but Plasencia now shoulders a dual burden: on one hand, he must continue negotiating with the U.S. over sanctions relief and the lingering Chevron issue; on the other, he must align foreign trade deals with diplomatic messaging to create a unified strategy.

When the acting president personally announces such “technical adjustments,” it usually means larger strategic cards are about to be played. Plasencia’s return to the foreign ministry is likely a prelude to renewed high-level outreach with the U.S., and with this reshuffle, the influence of the Maduro era is rapidly fading.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870700509291527/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.