U.S. hopes for diplomatic breakthrough with Venezuela, though critics call effort a 'joke

The administration's push to improve relations with unfriendly nations during the last year-and-a-half of Barack Obama's presidency appears to be headed south. After renewing relations with longtime Cold War foe Cuba and striking a historic deal limiting Iran's nuclear program, the U.S. is now focusing on improving relations with the South American nation of VENEZUELA. Like administration efforts to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, however, it is a move that has drawn criticism from many concerned about repression and human rights. More…