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.

Venezuela’s Foro Penal reported the release of 16 individuals following the recent signing of an amnesty law aimed at addressing politically-related detentions.

This release number contrasts with the assertion by National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez, who stated that 1,557 applications were being processed and hundreds had already benefited from the amnesty.

Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, signed the amnesty bill last Thursday, signaling a shift following the U.S. military operation in Caracas capturing former President Nicolás Maduro the previous month.

The law intends to benefit opposition members, activists, human rights defenders, and journalists who have faced extended detentions.

However, some human rights groups express distrust, calling the law insufficient as it excludes military personnel and those convicted of serious offenses, including homicide and drug trafficking.

Following Maduro’s capture, the government vowed to release many prisoners to promote peace. Since then, 464 people have been released, though more than 600 remain detained, according to Foro Penal.

Releases are conditional, requiring individuals to abstain from engaging with the press, leaving the country, or participating in politics.

Opposition groups demand an amnesty law that offers full freedom to political detainees.

On Sunday, the Venezuelan Red Cross accepted an invitation to oversee the release process in alignment with the amnesty legislation.

Venezuela’s legislature on Thursday advanced an amnesty bill proposed by acting President Delcy Rodríguez that could lead to the release of hundreds of political detainees, including opposition members, journalists, and human rights activists.

The measure, a long-standing demand of opposition groups and human rights organizations supported by the United States, has not yet been released publicly. Rights organizations have responded with cautious optimism, calling for transparency and details before any final vote.

The bill still requires a second debate in the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling party, though no date has been announced. If passed, it must be signed by Rodríguez to become law.

Rodríguez introduced the legislation several weeks after the U.S. military captured former President Nicolás Maduro. In a pre-recorded televised address broadcast during the January 30, 2026, opening of the new judicial year at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice in Caracas, Rodríguez said the bill would be addressed with urgency.

“May this law serve to heal the wounds left by the political confrontation fuelled by violence and extremism,” Rodríguez said. “May it serve to redirect justice in our country, and may it serve to redirect coexistence among Venezuelans.”

The Venezuelan Programme for Education-Action in Human Rights (PROVEA) issued a statement calling for the immediate public release of the bill, citing its potential impact on victims’ rights and wider society.

The measure is expected to cover a broad timeframe, from the administration of Hugo Chávez (1999–2013) through Maduro’s tenure, which ended in 2026. Reports suggest the law would exclude individuals convicted of murder, drug trafficking, and serious human rights violations.