Charleston, South Carolina – Call it “barbeque diplomacy,” a youngster born and raised in the Lowcountry with firsthand knowledge of many of the most pressing issues impacting the United States.
Ambassador James “Jimmy” Story has seen it all, from Brazil to Bogotá, Afghanistan, Mexico, Mozambique, and Angola, and he does not like what he sees in Venezuela.
Retired Ambassador Jimmy Story reflects on his 27 years in the foreign service.
I was born and reared in Moncks Corner, attended Berkeley High School, and graduated from the University of South Carolina. He was in Costa Rica on a fellowship when he received word from his mother back home.
He has spent his career as a top foreign service officer serving all around the world. The recipient of multiple State Department and interagency honors had a unique viewpoint on the job.
Much of our one-on-one chat was on Venezuela, and there was little enthusiasm for the current administration.
Story was the US ambassador to Venezuela from 2018 until 2023, but was dismissed after US diplomatic operations were halted owing to security concerns.
He claims that the list of crimes perpetrated by that country’s President, Nicolas Maduro, is extensive and directly impacts the United States.
So, what is being done about this? There is a major buildup of our navy in the region, with drug vessels being blown up.
According to the report, there is no democracy in Venezuela, but there is a possibility to restore it through a decision made by President Trump.
Story is concerned about how the US is going after these drug vessels, claiming that it could lead to blindness in the region.
According to the narrative, at least 9 million people have fled Venezuela, and this has an impact on everyone.
