U.S., Venezuela interim authorities agree to restore diplomatic ties

The United States and Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations, according to the U.S. Department of State.

“This step will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela,” the State Department said in statement on Thursday. “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.”

Formal relations between Washington and Caracas collapsed in 2019 and remained severed until the removal of Nicolás Maduro in January during the U.S. operation known as Operation Absolute Resolve.

Since Maduro’s removal, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as interim president. The two governments have gradually reopened communication since then, including direct meetings in Caracas with U.S. envoy Laura Dogu, according to Reuters.

On Monday, Rodríguez met with Dogu at the Miraflores presidential palace to discuss a bilateral agenda that Venezuelan officials said included energy, trade, political and economic issues.