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(CNN) - The US Department of State will open a Venezuelan Affairs Unit (VAU) at the US embassy in Bogotá, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday. It will be directed by the most recent US business manager. in Venezuela, James Story.
“The VAU continues the mission of the United States before the legitimate government of Venezuela and the Venezuelan people. The VAU will continue to work for the restoration of democracy and constitutional order in that country, and the security and well-being of the Venezuelan people, ”Pompeo said in a statement. "The VAU interacts with the government of interim president Juan Guaidó, the democratically elected National Assembly, Venezuelan civil society and the people of Venezuela."
The United States withdrew all of its remaining diplomatic personnel from Caracas in March 2019 after an orderly departure of non-essential personnel in January. In April, the United States signed a protection agreement with Switzerland, but it is not clear whether that agreement has entered into force.