Why is Venezuela's Maduro visiting Saudi Arabia?

The Venezuelan president's visit to the kingdom is the first since 2015, on his way back from Turkey where he attended Recep Tayyip Erdogan's inauguration.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves as he leaves Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia on May 30, 2023, after a summit with other South American leaders. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is hosting his fellow South American leaders Tuesday for a "retreat" aimed at strengthening ties in a region where left-wing governments are newly back in style. (Photo by Sergio Lima / AFP) (Photo by SERGIO LIMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves as he leaves Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia on May 30, 2023, after a summit with other South American leaders. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is hosting his fellow South American leaders Tuesday for a "retreat" aimed at strengthening ties in a region where left-wing governments are newly back in style. - SERGIO LIMA/AFP via Getty Images
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Adam Lucente
@Adam_Lucente

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro held meetings in Saudi Arabia on Monday, his first visit to the Gulf country since 2015, further cementing the South American country’s ties to the region despite opposition from Washington.

Maduro arrived in Jeddah early Monday morning local time and was received by Prince Badr bin Sultan, deputy governor of Mecca province, as well as Saudi national security adviser and Minister of State Musaed Al Aiban, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

 

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