U.S. and Venezuela Restore Diplomatic Ties as Washington Eyes Energy, Mining Openings

Overview

• The State Department said the two governments agreed to reestablish diplomatic and consular relations, paving the way to reopen missions after the 2019 rupture.
• Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ended a two-day trip to Caracas that included a meeting with interim president Delcy Rodríguez and U.S. chargé Laura Dogu at Miraflores Palace.
• Burgum said Washington is preparing new licenses to permit U.S. investment in Venezuela’s mining sector, with a delegation of energy and mining executives in tow.
• Venezuelan state television said Rodríguez signed oil agreements with Shell during the visit, without providing terms or project details.
• Caracas is advancing reforms to draw foreign participation in hydrocarbons and mining, while U.S. embargoes on oil and gold remain in place but can be bypassed through special authorizations.