Barkin replaces James Story, who has been in Caracas since 2018, first as chargé d'affaires, and then, since 2020, as ambassador. Like his predecessor, Barkin will serve from Bogotá after a long consular experience in countries such as the Netherlands and Kosovo.
Story played an important role in the context of the country's crisis, providing assistance to some opponents persecuted by Chavismo. On more than one occasion, Maduro once accused Story of meddling in conspiracies to overthrow him.