Venezuela, US set to hold talks on restoring relations after Maduro ousted

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela is set to hold talks with US envoys in Caracas on restoring diplomatic ties, days after US forces deposed Nicolas Maduro as its president.

Venezuela said Friday it had launched discussions with US diplomats in the capital, the latest sign of cooperation following the leftist leader’s capture and US President Donald Trump’s claim to be “in charge” of the South American country.

Officials say the US envoys were in Caracas to discuss reopening the country’s embassy, while in Washington, Trump met with oil companies over his plans to access Venezuela’s huge crude reserves.

The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez “has decided to initiate an exploratory diplomatic process with the government of the United States of America, aimed at re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries,” Foreign Minister Yvan Gil says in a statement.

John McNamara, the top US diplomat in neighboring Colombia, and other personnel “traveled to Caracas to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations,” a US official says on customary condition of anonymity.

Venezuela says it would reciprocate by sending a delegation to Washington.

Rodriguez, in a statement, condemns “the serious, criminal, illegal and illegitimate attack” by the United States and vowed: “Venezuela will continue to confront this aggression through the diplomatic route.”