Washington, Jan 9, (dpa/GNA) – The United States has sent a delegation to Caracas, as it works to re-establish a diplomatic presence in the country, following the US military operation that ousted Venezuela’s leader.
Diplomats and security personnel from the US interim diplomatic mission for Venezuela travelled to the capital on Friday, a State Department spokesperson told dpa.
The visit was intended to carry out an “initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations,” the official said.
The United States withdrew its personnel and closed its embassy in Venezuela in 2019, after president Nicolás Maduro severed diplomatic relations.
Maduro’s 2018 re-election was recognized by only a handful of countries, and Washington said his opponent, Juan Guaidó, was the legitimate winner.
Relations between Washington and Caracas have since remained deeply strained, with the US interim diplomatic mission for Venezuela based in Bogotá in neighbouring Colombia
Last weekend, US forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and removal of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were brought to the United States and are facing charges related to alleged drug offences.
President Donald Trump said the US would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can be ensured.
GNA