North Korea's Kim Yong Nam to Meet President Maduro in Caracas

(Bloomberg) -- North Korea’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam is set to meet Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on the first stop of a Latin American tour.

Kim Yong Nam arrived in the Venezuelan capital Monday evening, following an official visit to Beijing last week. Maduro will receive him in the Miraflores presidential palace Tuesday afternoon, according to a statement by the Venezuelan government.

The arrival of the North Korean official comes as much of the Western world isolates Venezuela’s ruling socialists for alleged human rights abuses and their handling of an economic collapse that has engendered a growing migrant crisis. As the U.S. and Europe have levied crippling sanctions on Venezuela and top government officials, including Maduro himself, the embattled government has sought to strengthen ties with nations such as China, Russia and Turkey.

--With assistance from Patricia Laya.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andrew Rosati in Caracas at arosati3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Vivianne Rodrigues at vrodrigues3@bloomberg.net, Walter Brandimarte

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