Venezuela said Friday it has launched an “exploratory” diplomatic process with the United States aimed at restoring relations and reopening embassies, which were severed in 2019.
The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez "has decided to initiate an exploratory diplomatic process with the government of the United States of America, aimed at re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries," Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement.
Caracas also confirmed that U.S. diplomats traveled Friday to Caracas for what a U.S. official said were talks on reopening the U.S. embassy.
John McNamara, the top U.S. diplomat in neighboring Colombia, and other personnel "traveled to Caracas to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations," a U.S. official said on customary condition of anonymity.
Venezuela said it would be reciprocating by sending a delegation to Washington.
