U.S., Venezuela Agree to Re-Establish Diplomatic Ties

AP

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

The United States and the interim authorities in Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday, in a move aimed at supporting a peaceful transition towards the election of a new government in the South American country.

"The United States and Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations. This step will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela," the State Department said in a statement.

"Our engagement is focused on helping the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government," the statement added. "The United States remains committed to supporting the Venezuelan people and working with partners across the region to advance stability and prosperity." 

The announcement was made at the end of a two-day visit by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to Venezuela. The visit largely focused on the country’s mining sector. It followed a February visit by Energy Secretary Chris Wright that centered on Venezuela’s oil potential.

After months of heightened tensions, the United States captured Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro, in January, triggering a series of political developments in the country, including the swearing-in of interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

Since then, the two countries have gradually resumed bilateral relations after Rodríguez’s interim government signalled its willingness to rebuild ties with Washington. The move included discussions on restoring diplomatic missions in both countries following Maduro’s capture.

"The ⁠Bolivarian Government reaffirms its willingness to move forward in a new phase of constructive dialogue based on mutual respect, sovereign equality of states, ⁠and cooperation between our peoples," the Venezuelan government said in a statement shared on Thursday.

"Venezuela expresses its confidence that this ⁠process will contribute to strengthening understanding and opening opportunities for a positive and mutually beneficial relationship," it said.



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