The United States and Venezuela have agreed to restore diplomatic relations, marking a major shift in relations between the two countries following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
The decision, announced by the US State Department, will see Washington and Caracas re-establish diplomatic and consular ties after years of strained relations. Officials say the move is aimed at promoting political stability, supporting economic recovery and encouraging reconciliation in Venezuela after months of turmoil.
Relations between the two countries had been severed since 2019 when Venezuela cut diplomatic ties with Washington after the United States recognised an opposition leader as interim president during a disputed election. The latest development comes after a dramatic US operation in January that led to the capture of Maduro, triggering significant political changes in the South American nation.
Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s Supreme Court installed former vice-president Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. Her administration has since signalled a willingness to rebuild relations with Washington, opening the door for renewed diplomatic engagement and cooperation between the two governments.
In a statement, the US government said the restoration of diplomatic relations would support efforts to help the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process designed to create conditions for democratic elections and long-term stability.
Venezuela’s government also welcomed the move, saying it was ready to begin a new phase of constructive dialogue based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement follows recent high-level meetings between US officials and Venezuelan leaders in Caracas, including discussions on economic recovery and potential foreign investment, particularly in the country’s oil and mining sectors.
Analysts say the restoration of diplomatic ties could open the door to broader economic cooperation while also helping Venezuela stabilise its crisis-hit economy after years of political conflict and international sanctions.
