US and Venezuela Agree to Formally Restore Diplomatic Relations

The United States and Venezuela have agreed to formally re-establish diplomatic and consular relations, which were broken in 2019. This move is intended to facilitate joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela.

Key points

• The restoration follows the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the US government in January 2026, with Delcy Rodríguez taking charge as the interim president.
• The US Department of State stated the step will help create conditions for a peaceful transition toward a democratically elected government.
• The agreement comes amid a progressive opening by Washington toward Caracas, particularly in the energy sector, with the US now trading Venezuelan hydrocarbons.
• US officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, have visited Venezuela to meet with Delcy Rodríguez.
• Laura Dogu was designated as the US Chargé d'Affaires in Caracas in January to reopen the US mission.

Why it matters

This formal restoration marks a significant shift in US-Venezuela relations, linking diplomatic normalization to a US-backed three-phase plan for Venezuela's future, contingent on cooperation with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.