Venezuela initiates exploratory talks on re-establishing diplomatic relations with the US

US Department of State officials are scheduled to visit Caracas, less than a week after the military abduction of President Nicolas Maduro. The Venezuelan government has announced that it is engaging in “exploratory” talks with the US to restore diplomatic relations.

According to a statement released by the Venezuelan government, officials from the US Department of State will be visiting Caracas and Venezuela plans to reciprocate by sending a delegation to Washington. The statement also confirmed that the Venezuelan government has decided to initiate an exploratory process aimed at re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries.

The US-Venezuela relationship has been strained since 1999, when left-wing President Hugo Chavez came to power. In 2019, diplomatic relations were severed after the Trump administration recognized opposition figure Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president. Since then, the US has maintained an office in Bogota, Colombia.

Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in just two days after the US military operation to seize Maduro. The operation has been widely condemned as a violation of international law. Rodriguez has expressed a desire for peace and dialogue, stating that her country and region deserve it.

The Trump administration has taken a hardline stance on Venezuela, pledging to use military pressure and sanctions to assert its will. Trump had initially threatened to impose harsher penalties on Rodriguez if she did not comply with US interests. Maduro remains in a US federal facility pending an indictment on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy and drug trafficking charges.

In recent days, there have been reports of increased cooperation between the US and Venezuela, including the release of some political prisoners. Trump has stated that he is working with Venezuela to rebuild its oil and gas infrastructure, but the details of this plan remain unclear. The US military presence in the region remains a point of contention.

Source: Al Jazeera