US, Venezuela to restore diplomatic ties
March 6, 2026
The United States and Venezuela's interim government have agreed to reestablish diplomatic and consular ties, the US State Department said.
In a statement released on Thursday, the State Department said it was focused on creating "the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically government."
It's a sign of thawing ties between the nations after the Trump administration captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026 and brought him to the US to face criminal charges.
During US President Donald Trump's first term in office, the US stopped recognizing Maduro and his administration as Venezuela's legitimate government.
The US withdrew its diplomats and suspended operations at its embassy in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, in 2019.
Venezuela will ensure security for foreign mining companies
Meanwhile, Venezuela has promised safe conditions for foreign mining companies, a US official said Thursday.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said he had received assurances from Venezuela that the government would "ensure" the security of foreign companies.
"I think you're going to see this government very concerned about providing the right kind of security," Burgum told reporters on Thursday at the end of a two-day visit to the Latin American country.
Burgum, who brought representatives from a number of mining and minerals companies with him on the visit, said dozens of companies had expressed interest in investing in Venezuela.
The country is rich in oil as well as minerals such as gold, diamonds, bauxite, coltan and other rare materials used to make computers and mobile phones.
But following nationalizations under Hugo Chavez, who was Venezuela's president from 1999-2013, foreign investment has been minimal in the last decade.
Mining activity is concentrated in a territory known as the Orinoco Mining Arc, where armed groups are active.
Edited by: Sean Sinico