U.S. and Venezuela reach historic agreement to re-establish diplomatic ties

Rebecca Falconer

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez stand smiling on red carpeted steps between U.S. and Venezuelan flags; Burgum wears navy suit red tie, Rodriguez wears red suit with white shirt and glasses. — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Venezuela's Interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, after their meeting at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas on March 4, Photo: Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. and Venezuela "have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations," per a State Department statement Thursday.

Why it matters: The historic deal with a former traditional U.S. foe comes as President Trump pushes to apply his actions in Caracas that led to the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro to Iran, telling Axios Thursday that he must be involved in picking a successor to assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Trump administration officials visited Venezuela this week, where Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met with acting Venezuelan president Delcy Rodríguez to discuss oil and mineral opportunities, and help shepherd a multimillion-dollar gold deal.

What they're saying: "This step will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela," the State Department's statement said.

"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."

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.

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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U.S. and Venezuela reach historic agreement to re-establish diplomatic ties

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