The United States and Venezuela will resume diplomatic relations that have been interrupted for six years
The United States announced on Thursday, March 5, that it would restore diplomatic and consular relations with Venezuela. The diplomatic relationship between the United States and Venezuela has been interrupted since 2019.
The U.S. Department of State said in a statement: "The United States and the interim government of Venezuela have agreed to resume diplomatic and consular relations," in order to "promote joint efforts between the two sides in economic recovery and national reconciliation." The statement provided no further details.
Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs later issued a statement saying that Caracas is ready to move towards a new phase of constructive dialogue based on mutual respect, equality of sovereignty, and cooperation, believing that this process will enhance understanding and create opportunities for a positive and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.
This news comes as the U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum just ended a two-day visit to Venezuela, expressing confidence in the country's mining and oil development prospects.
Burgum is also the chair of the U.S. National Energy Council. Before leaving Caracas, he said that Venezuela has committed to ensuring the safety of foreign-operated mining companies within its country, and he is confident about the growth of Venezuela's oil production amid rising crude oil prices caused by the war in the Middle East.
Under U.S. pressure, Venezuela's interim president Rodriguez has revised the petroleum law, opening up the energy sector to the private sector; and issued an amnesty order for political prisoners, announcing judicial reforms. Rodriguez has received several visiting U.S. officials, and during her meeting with Burgum on Wednesday, she stated that the parliament will begin reviewing the reform of the mining law next week.
Venezuela is rich in mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, bauxite, cobalt, titanium metals, and other rare minerals essential for the production of computers and mobile phones.
Two weeks before Burgum's visit, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright also visited Venezuela and toured multiple oil facilities, expressing the same optimism about the huge opportunities for cooperation in Venezuela's oil development. He said, "The American people are concerned about issues of oil and natural gas prices... and Venezuela, with its resources, is undoubtedly a great victory for itself and also a great victory for the United States."
Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves, producing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2025. The country plans to increase production by 18% in 2026, although this level is still far below the daily output of about 3 million barrels in the early 2000s.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858921877293148/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.