Spain appoints new ambassador to Venezuela amid thaw in relations

FILE PHOTO: The head of the opposition delegation of Venezuela Gerardo Blyde Perez talks to the media accompanied by other delegates, in Mexico City, Mexico November 26, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Romero/File Photo

MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government has appointed a new ambassador to Venezuela, signalling a thaw in relations that comes two years after Madrid vacated the post to protest over what it said was the absence of free elections in the Caribbean country.

Following the 2018 presidential election, Spain recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president and distanced itself from the government of Nicolas Maduro, culminating in the recall of its top envoy to Caracas in November 2020.