US senator on visit to Venezuela amid diplomatic detente

The Republican chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is making a surprise visit to Venezuela amid a U.S. effort to reduce tensions with the South American nation. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee was meeting Tuesday with members of Venezuela's opposition, said Maria Corina Machado, an opposition leader. She added on Twitter that she expected to meet with Corker in the coming hours. It was not immediately known if Corker would also talk with President Nicolas Maduro or members of his government. But the visit follows several high level meetings between Maduro and U.S. State Department envoys since the socialist leader met briefly with President Barack Obama in April on the sidelines of a regional Summit. More…