A former rebel leader in Colombia who would undo antinarcotics cooperation with the U.S. is looking to capitalize on the biggest antigovernment unrest in decades and ride it to the presidency next year.

CARACAS A year after shutting down the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Washingtons top diplomat in Venezuela has found a way to slip back inside the South American nation at least virtually. Storys live chat sessions are part of duties that include leading a team of diplomats for the highly unusual virtual embassy working out of the mission in neighboring Colombia. Brownfield, who is now retired, served as ambassador to Venezuela for three years starting in 2004. Story can also communicate his message to other foreign diplomats, many cautious about what they can say while still inside Venezuela, he said. Maduro fired back an hour later in an interview aired on state TV, citing Storys dispatches from Bogota.