US and Venezuela move to restore diplomatic ties two months after Maduro’s capture | US news
Venezuela and the United States are restoring diplomatic relations, the two countries announced Thursday, a new sign of thaw after Washington ousted former President Nicolás Maduro.
The announcement comes as U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum finishes a two-day trip to Venezuela, part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for greater access to the country’s mineral wealth.
Restoring diplomatic and consular relations “will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela,” the US State Department said. “Our commitment is to help the Venezuelan people move forward in a progressive process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government. »
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said it would “advance in a new stage of constructive dialogue, based on mutual respect, the sovereign equality of states and cooperation between our peoples,” adding that the renewed ties would be “positive and mutually beneficial.”
The announcement comes hours after Burgum, a Trump cabinet member who heads the National Energy Dominance Council, said he had received assurances from Caracas that the government would guarantee the security of foreign mining companies wanting to invest there.
Burgum, who spoke with interim President Delcy Rodríguez during his trip, said dozens of companies had expressed interest in investing in Venezuela. “I think you’re going to see this government very concerned about providing the right kind of security,” Burgum said.
He told reporters his meetings had been “incredibly positive” and predicted Venezuela would exceed its oil and gas production targets in 2026.
The Trump administration claims it actually rules Venezuela and controls the country’s vast natural resources after toppling Maduro.
Burgum is the second senior U.S. official to visit since the Jan. 3 bombing that left about 100 people dead and saw Maduro and his wife flown to New York to stand trial on drug trafficking charges.
Besides oil, Venezuela is rich in minerals such as gold and diamonds, as well as bauxite, coltan and other rare materials used in making computers and cell phones.
Mining activity is concentrated in a territory known as the Orinoco Mining Arc, where armed groups are active.
Burgum’s visit follows that of US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who called for a “dramatic increase” in Venezuela’s oil production and spoke of “enormous opportunities” for Washington and Caracas.
The two men’s enthusiastic assessments, which echo Trump’s position, reflect the sea change in relations between Washington and Caracas since Maduro’s capture.
Trump allowed Rodríguez, who was Maduro’s vice president, to become interim leader on the condition that she grant the United States access to Venezuela’s natural resources.
Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves and Rodríguez last month overhauled the state-controlled oil sector to allow a wave of private investment. It now aims to update the mining code.
