Venezuela said Friday it has launched an “exploratory” diplomatic process with the United States aimed at restoring relations and reopening embassies, which were severed in 2019.
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.
Caracas also confirmed that U.S. diplomats traveled Friday to Caracas for what a U.S. official said were talks on reopening the U.S. embassy.
John McNamara, the top U.S. diplomat in neighboring Colombia, and other personnel "traveled to Caracas to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations," a U.S. official said on customary condition of anonymity.
Venezuela said it would be reciprocating by sending a delegation to Washington.
The diplomatic thaw comes less than a week after U.S. special forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at a compound in Caracas following a bombing raid to neutralize Venezuela's defenses.
Venezuela's leader of 12 years was flown blindfolded and handcuffed to the United States, where he appeared in court on Monday on drug trafficking and other charges.
His capture marked a dramatic climax to months of U.S. military pressure and threats, including the seizure of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and strikes on alleged Latin American drug boats.
Maduro denies all the charges against him.
