Venezuelan embassy in Washington DC. File photo.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Caracas and Washington have decided to restore diplomatic and consular relations. The announcement was made on Thursday evening by the Venezuelan and US governments in simultaneous statements.
In the Venezuelan statement shared by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, Venezuela “reaffirms its willingness to move forward in a new stage of constructive dialogue based on mutual respect, the sovereign equality of states, and cooperation between our peoples.” Venezuela also emphasized that these relations should result in the social and economic well-being of the Venezuelan people.
In January, Venezuela initiated an exploratory diplomatic process with the United States government, aimed at re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries. At that time, Venezuela explained that the action was intended to address the consequences of the attack and kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Deputy Cilia Flores, as well as a work agenda of mutual interest. The presidential couple was kidnapped in the early hours of January 3 after US troops bombed populated areas of Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua states, killing over 100 people, 47 of whom were Venezuelan soldiers and 32 Cuban soldiers.
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On February 2, Félix Plasencia was appointed as the Venezuelan ambassador to the United States. The appointment was made by Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez after meeting the newly appointed US chargé d’affaires. Following the imperialist bombings of Venezuela, the acting president has emphasized diplomacy as the path to overcoming differences between the two nations.
Chavista analysts claim that the Chavista leadership has been forced to accept cooperation with the US in a strategic retreat aimed at recovering the Venezuelan economy and making it more difficult for the US to continue its economic suffocation strategy initiated in 2015. Additionally, analysts explain that Venezuelan authorities are working to address the security deficiencies evident during the January 3 US military aggression, as the US—dissatisfied after failing to achieve regime change—may attempt a final blow to eliminate Chavismo in the near future.
The full unofficial translation of the Venezuelan statement follows:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela announces that, following the diplomatic dialogue established with the authorities of the United States of America, both governments have decided to re-establish their diplomatic and consular relations.
The Bolivarian Government reaffirms its willingness to move forward in a new stage of constructive dialogue, based on mutual respect, the sovereign equality of States, and cooperation between our peoples.
Venezuela expresses its confidence that this process will help strengthen understanding and open opportunities for a positive and mutually beneficial relationship. These relations should result in the social and economic well-being of the Venezuelan people.
This step accompanies the fruitful dialogue that Venezuelans maintain among themselves, aimed at strengthening coexistence, peace, and national understanding.
Finally, the Bolivarian Government evokes the words of our Liberator Simón Bolívar, who, from Angostura, within the framework of the birth of the new Republic, expressed his desire to establish “relations of friendship and good understanding” with the Government of the United States of North America.
Caracas, March 5, 2026
For its part, the US regime issued a short statement announcing the decision, while insisting on what most analysts claim is a renewed imperialist mantra: “… process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government.”
Under international and diplomatic rules, the US statement is a clear intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs and political system. Analysts interpret it as evidence of US intentions to inflict a final blow to the Bolivarian Revolution.
The full US statement follows:
The United States and Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations. 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.
The United States remains committed to supporting the Venezuelan people and working with partners across the region to advance stability and prosperity.
The 2019 diplomatic rupture
On January 23, 2019, during a televised address, President Nicolás Maduro announced the complete break of diplomatic relations with the US. “I just signed the diplomatic note giving the US Embassy in Caracas and all its personnel 72 hours to leave Venezuela,” he said.
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That same day, an unpopular Venezuelan far-right National Assembly deputy named Juan Guaidó proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela in a US-led regime change operation that eventually failed after several years. Minutes later, the US regime recognized Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
A few hours after President Maduro’s statements, the US Department of State issued an unprecedented communiqué on social media, defying the decision. The document stated that the US only recognized Guaidó as the “Venezuelan authority” and would not vacate its embassy in Caracas.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
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