US and Venezuela take initial steps toward restoring relations after Maduro's ouster

"The United States and Venezuela said Friday they were exploring the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations, as a Trump administration delegation visited the South American nation. The visit marks a major step toward warming icy relations between the historically adversarial governments. U.S. military forces captured former President Nicolas Maduro last weekend in Caracas and took him to New York to face federal charges of drug-trafficking. The small team of U.S. diplomats and a security detail"

"Venezuela's government on Friday said it plans to send a delegation to the U.S. but it did not say when. Any delegation traveling to the U.S. will likely require sanctions to be waived by the Treasury Department. In a statement, the government of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said it has decided to initiate an exploratory process of a diplomatic nature with the Government of the United States of America, aimed at the re-establishment of diplomatic missions in both countries."

U.S. and Venezuelan officials are exploring restoring diplomatic relations while a Trump administration delegation visited Venezuela to assess reopening the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. U.S. military forces captured former President Nicolas Maduro last weekend in Caracas and transferred him to New York on federal drug-trafficking charges. Venezuela plans to send a delegation to the U.S., which would likely require Treasury Department waivers of sanctions. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez initiated an exploratory diplomatic process aimed at re-establishing missions in both countries. President Trump pressured Rodriguez and former Maduro loyalists to advance policies favoring renewed participation of U.S. oil companies. The U.S. cut ties in 2019 and moved its embassy to Bogota.

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