The United States and Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations, marking a dramatic shift in relations months after American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a surprise military raid ordered by Donald Trump.
In a joint announcement, both countries said they would work together to promote stability, support Venezuela’s economic recovery and advance political reconciliation, signalling a significant breakthrough after years of hostility between Washington and Caracas.
Relations between the two countries had already begun improving after the US military operation in January in which Maduro and his wife were seized and taken to Manhattan to face charges linked to alleged weapons and drug offences. The Venezuelan leader has denied the accusations and is expected to stand trial in the United States later this month.
The reopening of diplomatic channels represents a symbolic step toward restoring normal relations. The US embassy in Caracas, which had been closed since 2019 during the height of tensions between the two governments, has already resumed operations, and Washington has appointed a new diplomat to lead its mission in Venezuela.
Officials in Caracas said they were ready to open what they described as a “new stage of constructive dialogue” with the United States, stressing that engagement must be based on mutual respect and aimed at improving the welfare of Venezuelans.
In a statement, the Venezuelan government said the renewed relationship should ultimately deliver the “social and economic happiness of the Venezuelan people.” However, the announcement from Caracas did not mention a political transition or future elections, an issue the US State Department has repeatedly emphasised in its own messaging.
Washington has long accused Maduro and several members of his administration of leading a criminal organisation involved in activities including illegal mining and drug trafficking, allegations that Caracas has rejected.
Diplomatic engagement is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Sources said that additional American diplomatic staff currently stationed at the US embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, are likely to be transferred to Caracas to expand the mission and allow officials from both sides to conduct negotiations face-to-face while also restoring consular services.
The US State Department said its diplomatic outreach is intended to support Venezuelans through what it described as a “phased process” that could eventually create the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government.
Speaking to reporters in Caracas before departing for Washington, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum described the intervention in Venezuela as a strategic decision by the Trump administration.
Burgum said acting against the Venezuelan government before confronting Iran had been a “brilliant strategic move,” adding that the operation was also intended to protect American energy interests.
The US and Israel launched military action against Iran on 28 February, during which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial wave of strikes.
According to Burgum, the intervention in Venezuela would also help ensure that “oil will flow to America.”
Since Maduro’s capture and the US military intervention, Washington has moved quickly to deepen economic engagement with Venezuela’s vast energy sector. The US government has authorised Venezuela to sell sanctioned oil under American oversight, while Caracas has amended its legislation to allow increased foreign investment in its oil industry.
Energy cooperation has rapidly expanded. Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez and Burgum announced on Wednesday that both countries would also collaborate on developing Venezuela’s mining sector.
In addition to holding the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela possesses significant deposits of gold, diamonds, rare earth elements and other critical minerals used in modern technologies, including mobile phones.
The restoration of formal diplomatic ties therefore represents not only a political shift but also a potentially significant economic partnership between Washington and Caracas.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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