US and Venezuela begin exploratory talks on restoring relations

A U.S. delegation visited Venezuela to assess reopening the U.S. embassy after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was captured and taken to the United States to face federal charges; Venezuela said it will send a delegation to the U.S. but gave no date.

The United States and Venezuela have started an exploratory diplomatic process after recent dramatic developments involving Venezuela's leadership. A small team of U.S. diplomats and a security detail visited Venezuela to make a preliminary assessment about reopening the U.S. embassy in Caracas. Venezuelan authorities said they will send a delegation to the United States, though no travel date was provided and Treasury sanctions likely would need to be waived for such a visit. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez described initiating diplomacy while also signaling internal pressures related to the recent removal of Nicolás Maduro. Key points: - Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was captured and flown to the United States to face federal charges, according to officials. - A Trump administration delegation traveled to Venezuela to assess the potential reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. - Venezuela announced it will send a delegation to the United States, but did not provide a date and noted sanctions issues could affect travel. - Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said her government has begun an exploratory diplomatic process and acknowledged tensions with domestic political and military factions. Summary: These visits are initial diplomatic steps aimed at re-establishing relations and possibly reopening embassies. Exact timelines and concrete outcomes remain undetermined at this time.