The United States and Venezuela have agreed to restore diplomatic relations following the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in January, according to the U.S. State Department.
This development follows a U.S. military operation that removed Maduro from power. Since then, the Trump administration has pressured the remaining Maduro loyalists to adopt reforms aligning with its vision for Venezuela.
Bilateral relations were severed in 2019 after Maduro closed embassies following U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement of opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president. U.S. diplomatic staff were relocated to Colombia at that time.
The State Department stated that the current talks focus on guiding Venezuela toward a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government.
The announcement was made at the conclusion of a visit by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. His trip centered on Venezuela’s mining sector, following an earlier visit by Energy Secretary Chris Wright to evaluate the nation’s oil resources. Both visits aim to secure foreign investment to support a phased recovery plan.
Delcy Rodríguez, acting president and former vice president under Maduro, stated on state television that reestablishing diplomatic ties “will strengthen relations between our two countries.” Rodríguez’s government expressed optimism that renewed relations would foster understanding and mutually beneficial opportunities.
Following the U.S. intervention, the Trump administration urged significant reforms, including opening the oil sector to foreign companies. Rodríguez’s government enacted an amnesty law, resulting in the release of numerous political prisoners.
Trump’s decision to engage with Rodríguez, rather than the opposition, marked a significant shift, surprising Venezuelans both domestically and abroad. Opposition leader María Corina Machado has announced her return to Venezuela and the scheduling of elections.
