The United States and Venezuela have reached an agreement to “re-establish diplomatic and consular relations,” the State Department announced.
“This step will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela. Our engagement is focused on helping the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government,” a statement read.
“The United States remains committed to supporting the Venezuelan people and working with partners across the region to advance stability and prosperity,” it continued.
.@StateDept: “The United States and Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations.” pic.twitter.com/vIX8Jo1eAH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 5, 2026
CBS News shared further:
The move comes after Trump administration officials have made several visits the South American nation following a U.S. military operation that deposed former President Nicolás Maduro in January, the latest by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum this week. The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on Maduro loyalists now in power to accept its vision for the oil-rich nation.
Relations between the two countries were cut off in 2019, during the first Trump administration, in a decision by Maduro. They closed their embassies mutually after President Trump gave public support to Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Juan Guaidó, who claimed to be the nation’s interim president in January 2019. That same month, amid Venezuelan political unrest and violence, the Trump administration ordered all non-essential American diplomatic staff and government personnel to leave Venezuela.
Since then, the U.S. has operated its consular services out of Bogota, Colombia. In January, following Maduro’s capture, the Trump administration notified Congress that it would begin steps to eventually reopen its embassy in Venezuela.
“U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met with Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday afternoon. The two met with the U.S. representative in Venezuela, Laura Dogu, in Caracas’ Miraflores,” One America News wrote.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met with Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday afternoon. The two met with the U.S. representative in Venezuela, Laura Dogu, in Caracas’ Miraflores.
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Axios has more:
The Venezuelan National Executive has reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic and energy cooperation with the U.S., according to a statement posted to Rodríguez’s webpage.
Rodríguez expressed the Venezuelan government’s “full willingness to build a joint work agenda based on respect and mutual benefit” during Burgum’s two-day visit.
She “sent a message of openness” to the Trump administration that reaffirmed Venezuela’s “willingness to maintain a diplomatic agenda of peace and economic cooperation,” the statement added.
