MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Venezuela sends diplomatic delegation to Washington to formalize restoration of ties with US

“This week, the delegation of diplomats who will begin this new stage of diplomatic and political relations and dialog between our governments will depart for Washington,” Delcy Rodríguez said

Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez announced on Tuesday that a delegation of Venezuelan diplomats will travel to Washington this week to advance the normalization of bilateral relations with the United States, severed since 2019.

“This week, the delegation of diplomats who will begin this new stage of diplomatic and political relations and dialog between our governments will depart for Washington,” Rodríguez said during a meeting with investors broadcast on state channel Venezolana de Televisión.

The group, composed of officials appointed by the Foreign Ministry, aims to establish Venezuela's diplomatic representation in the US capital, reactivate passport and document services, and restore consular assistance to the Venezuelan community in the United States. The designated head of mission in Washington is Félix Plasencia, according to the Venezuelan government, following a meeting held on March 19 at Miraflores Palace with a delegation from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The trip coincides with the entry into force of General License 53, issued by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The measure authorizes US banks and service providers to offer services to Venezuelan diplomatic missions, including opening accounts, processing transfers and covering operational expenses for the embassy and consulates. The license excludes real estate transactions.

Venezuela and the United States formally agreed to restore diplomatic ties on March 5, a shift that followed the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a US military operation in Caracas on January 3. Maduro faces four charges in a New York court, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and weapons possession, with a hearing scheduled for March 26. Flores faces related charges.

During the meeting with investors, Rodríguez reiterated her request that Washington lift economic sanctions on Venezuela. “We have asked President Trump, for investors, not just for Venezuela, that there be no sanctions against Venezuela, against its economy,” she said. The Venezuelan leader also urged attending business representatives to invest in the country, assuring them of “guarantees, legal certainty and stability,” according to CNN.

The rapprochement is taking place in a complex context: human rights organizations report that the Venezuelan government still holds more than 500 political prisoners, despite amnesty measures announced in recent weeks.