Kerry Says US to Back Venezuela Dialogue, Won't Push OAS Exit

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he would support a dialogue to find a solution to Venezuela’s current situation, just hours after he backed calls for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro.

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In his unexpected Tuesday announcement, Kerry also said that his government would "immediately" send one of his closest diplomats, Thomas Shannon to Caracas to aid in the mediations being headed up by the Union of South American Nations, or UNASUR.

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"I've committed to see if this can work so let's see if we can improve the relationship," said Kerry, after meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez during the Organization of American States (OAS) assembly in the Dominican Republic.

Kerry announced that his government will not support the expulsion of Venezuela of the OAS, a move promoted by Secretary General Luis Almagro who is being accused of colluding with the right-wing opposition in Venezuela.

"The United States is not taking that position, we are not pushing for a suspension. I don't think that would be constructive," Kerry added.

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During the OAS meeting, Foreign Minister Rodriguez said that her nation faces a strong international campaign of harassment led by Almagro, saying the OAS head aims to overthrow elected president Nicolas Maduro and “subject the nation to imperial interests.”

"Every day we have evidence of the secretary-general's bias in favor of sectors of the opposition who are seeking a coup in Venezuela," said Rodriguez.

Maduro welcomed Kerry's proposal and reiterated his proposal to restore ambassadors of the two countries, after eight years since diplomatic relations between both countries collapsed.

"The United States proposes that we begin a new phase of high-level dialogue. Approved!," said President Maduro after the announcement.

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The two countries have had diplomatic hostilities since the administrations of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and former U.S. President George W. Bush.

"I propose to John Kerry 'let's designate ambassadors', I am ready. They have ambassadors in Beijing, Vietnam and Havana, and they don't have one in Caracas," said Maduro during a rally with teachers.

Maduro's government put forward an ambassador for accreditation in 2014, but U.S President Barack Obama has not yet accepted his credentials.