The Venezuelan government announced on 9/1 its decision to initiate a diplomatic process with the US. This move aims to restore diplomatic relations, address the fallout from a 3/1 raid that included the alleged kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and the First Lady, and foster a program of action for mutual benefit. Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that these negotiations adhere to international law, national sovereignty, and peaceful diplomacy.

Caracas has strongly condemned the US raid on 3/1, labeling it a "serious, illegal, and illegitimate" act. This operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians and soldiers. The Venezuelan government further accused the US of "kidnapping" President Maduro and his wife, asserting that this action constitutes a grave violation of a head of state's personal immunity and fundamental principles of international law.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez presided over a Council of Ministers meeting on 4/1. Photo: Office of the President of Venezuela

Despite its strong condemnation, Interim President Delcy Rodriguez affirmed Venezuela's commitment to addressing the US through diplomatic channels. She emphasized a path of "peaceful diplomacy" to safeguard national sovereignty, restore international legal order, and maintain peace.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil outlined the immediate goals: to assess the technical and logistical conditions for reopening embassies and to manage the consequences stemming from the US operation. In a tangible step towards this, a US diplomatic delegation, led by John T. McNamara, head of the Venezuela Affairs Unit at the US Embassy in Colombia, has arrived in Caracas to evaluate the feasibility of resuming operations for the US mission.

Venezuela, in turn, announced its intention to send a diplomatic delegation to Washington to explore options for reopening its own embassy. The US Embassy in Venezuela ceased operations in 2019 following the severing of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Since then, the US has managed Venezuela-related affairs through its embassy in Colombia. President Donald Trump has indicated that his administration is actively considering the next steps for re-establishing a diplomatic presence in Caracas.

Thanh Danh (According to AFP, TeleSur)