- Rodriguez insisted that Venezuela remains sovereign, stressing that cooperation with Washington does not amount to surrender
- President Trump earlier announced that he had suspended a planned second round of military strikes
- Caracas disclosed that US diplomatic officials had arrived in the capital to assess the possibility of reopening the American embassy
Venezuela has confirmed the start of preliminary discussions with the United States on re-establishing formal diplomatic relations, marking a significant shift days after US forces removed former president Nicolas Maduro from power.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the move signals a cautious thaw between both countries following weeks of military pressure, political upheaval and Washington’s declaration of authority over Venezuela’s transitional process.
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Caracas disclosed that US diplomatic officials had arrived in the capital to assess the possibility of reopening the American embassy, while Venezuelan authorities are preparing to send their own representatives to Washington.
The talks come as US President Donald Trump intensifies consultations with major oil corporations over plans to tap Venezuela’s vast crude reserves.
The renewed engagement coincided with emotional scenes outside detention centres across Venezuela, where families gathered in anticipation as the interim government began releasing political detainees. Many relatives described the moment as long overdue, following years of repression under the previous administration.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said the interim government led by President Delcy Rodriguez had approved an exploratory diplomatic process aimed at restoring official missions in both countries. US officials confirmed that senior diplomats, including personnel from neighboring Colombia, were involved in the initial assessment.
President Trump earlier announced that he had suspended a planned second round of military strikes, citing cooperation from Venezuela’s new leadership. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the release of political prisoners was a clear signal of willingness to de-escalate tensions.
Despite the pause in military action, Washington maintained economic pressure by seizing another oil tanker near Venezuelan waters as part of its ongoing oil blockade.
Trump also revealed that US energy firms had pledged up to $100 billion in investments, claiming Venezuela’s oil sector could be revitalised under American oversight.
Venezuela’s decision to free detainees began on Thursday, with prominent opposition figures among those released. Parliamentary Speaker Jorge Rodriguez said the move was intended to promote peaceful coexistence and reduce internal tensions during the transition.
Trump has continued to downplay democracy as the main justification for US intervention, even as Washington long accused Maduro of electoral fraud. He confirmed plans to meet opposition leader Maria Corina Machado next week, adopting a more conciliatory tone than in previous remarks.
Meanwhile, political tensions remain high within Venezuela. Protests erupted in Caracas demanding Maduro’s release, with demonstrators condemning US involvement and rejecting foreign control over national resources.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez insisted that Venezuela remains sovereign, stressing that cooperation with Washington does not amount to surrender.
As negotiations unfold, analysts say Venezuela stands at a crossroads, balancing diplomatic re-engagement, domestic unrest, and mounting questions over who will ultimately shape the country’s political and economic future.
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