The United States and Venezuela have announced the restoration of diplomatic relations, marking a significant thaw in ties following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro. The US State Department stated that re-establishing diplomatic and consular relations will support stability, economic recovery, and political reconciliation in Venezuela.
The announcement coincided with a visit by US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who held talks with interim President Delcy Rodríguez. Burgum, a member of President Donald Trump's cabinet, said he received assurances from Caracas regarding the security of foreign mining companies interested in investing in Venezuela's mineral wealth, which includes gold, diamonds, and rare materials used in electronics.
Venezuela's foreign ministry described the renewed ties as 'positive and mutually beneficial,' based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. The move follows a US bombing raid in January that killed about 100 people and led to Maduro's extradition to New York on drug trafficking charges.
Burgum's visit is the second by a senior US official since the raid, following Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who pushed for increased Venezuelan oil output. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, and Rodríguez has recently overhauled the oil sector to attract private investment, with plans to update mining regulations.
