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https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-colombian-marxists-charm-offensive-venezuela-white-house-nicolas-maduro-socialism-democracy-9c2b2d12

A Colombian Marxist’s Charm Offensive

Gustavo Petro’s anticapitalist message is welcome in the Biden White House.

By Mary Anastasia O’Grady

April 23, 2023 4:13 pm ET

Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks at the White House, April 20. Photo: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS

Venezuela’s dictator, Nicolás Maduro, has a new public-relations outfit working for him, and this one has a direct line to the White House. It isn’t some high-priced Washington lobby shop. It’s the Colombian government, headed by President Gustavo Petro, who met with President Biden in Washington on Thursday.

Mr. Petro is trying to get international sanctions on Venezuela lifted even as Mr. Maduro refuses to restore democracy. Given the Colombian’s résumé, which includes past membership in the M-19 terrorist group, this isn’t surprising. But the Biden administration’s signals, despite claims that Venezuelan intransigence is a nonstarter, spell trouble.