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Venezuela announced Friday it has entered exploratory discussions with the United States aimed at restoring diplomatic ties severed in 2019, marking a significant shift in relations following the dramatic capture of former president Nicolas Maduro by American special forces last week.
The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez "has decided to initiate an exploratory diplomatic process with the government of the United States of America, aimed at re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries," Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement.
The diplomatic overture comes less than a week after US special forces captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores at a compound in Caracas following a bombing raid to neutralize Venezuela's defenses. The former leader of 12 years was transported blindfolded and handcuffed to the United States, where he appeared in court Monday facing drug trafficking and other charges, which he denies.
US diplomats traveled to Caracas on Friday for initial discussions about resuming operations at the American embassy, which has been closed since the two nations broke diplomatic relations during Maduro's rule.
John McNamara, the top US diplomat in neighboring Colombia, and other personnel "traveled to Caracas to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations," a US official said on customary condition of anonymity.
Venezuela confirmed it would reciprocate by sending a delegation to Washington as part of the exploratory process.
The diplomatic thaw follows months of escalating US military pressure on the Maduro government, including the seizure of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and strikes on alleged Latin American drug boats. President Donald Trump has backed Rodriguez as interim leader contingent on Caracas's collaboration and granting Washington access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves.
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Exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia said Friday that any democratic transition must recognize his claimed victory in the 2024 presidential elections, which authorities declared won by Maduro amid widespread allegations of fraud.
"Democratic reconstruction in Venezuela depends on the explicit recognition of the electoral result of July 28, 2024," Gonzalez Urrutia told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during a call, according to a statement from his press team.
The opposition provided detailed voting records to support their claim that Gonzalez Urrutia comfortably defeated Maduro in the disputed election. Gonzalez Urrutia fled to Spain later that year after authorities cracked down on protests following the vote.
Trump said shortly after the raid that opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, Gonzalez Urrutia's close ally, lacked the necessary support and respect to lead the South American country.
Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez said Spain wanted "to stand by the country in this new chapter and contribute to bringing positions closer together," adding that Spain supports "a peaceful, negotiated and democratic transition in Venezuela, led by Venezuelans themselves."
Venezuelan authorities announced Thursday a prisoner release seen as a gesture toward the United States. While Gonzalez Urrutia said the move made him "deeply happy," he emphasized that "the selective release of prisoners cannot replace the full restoration of rights, nor the recognition of the democratic mandate" from the 2024 vote.
"Real political transitions are complex and cannot be reduced to partial gestures," Gonzalez Urrutia said, drawing a distinction between "tactical gestures and real commitments."
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