Paraguayan president visits Venezuela to advance restoration of bilateral ties

Ruling Colorado Party candidate Santiago Pena is seen at a polling station in Asuncion, capital of Paraguay, on April 30, 2023. Paraguay held general elections on Sunday. Paraguay's top electoral court said on Sunday that Santiago Pena has won the presidential election. (File photo: Xinhua)

CARACAS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Paraguayan President Santiago Pena arrived here Saturday for talks with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez, aimed at restoring institutional contacts and gradually normalizing bilateral relations.

Pena arrived at Miraflores Palace accompanied by Paraguayan First Lady Leticia Ocampos.

The talks are expected to cover trade, consular services and outstanding energy and financial issues, Venezuelan state media reported.

The visit is being conducted under the principles of "mutual respect, self-determination and sovereign equality among nations," according to the report.

Paraguay severed diplomatic relations with Venezuela in January 2019.