The U.S. and Venezuela "have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations," the State Department announced Thursday.
Why it matters: The historic deal with a former 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," per a State Department statement.
- "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.
Flashback: Maduro directed Venezuela to cut ties with the U.S. in 2019 after Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's interim president.
- Guaidó's representatives administered Venezuelan embassies and consulates in the U.S. until his ouster in 2023, when they all closed as a result.
Go deeper... Scoop: Trump officials broker massive U.S.-Venezuela gold deal
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
