On Friday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Palencia said Venezuela and Honduras have restored diplomatic relations.

Palencia announced this news and commented: "This great woman [Honduran President Xiomara Castro] ... could become the president due to democracy," adding that, "today, as diplomatic ties are restored, together we will define a clear pathway to Latin American and Caribbean unity between Venezuela and Honduras." 

Following a coup against Castro's husband, former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, diplomatic relations between the two nations were cut in 2010.

Desde Venezuela enviamos un saludo bolivariano al pueblo valiente de Morazán, y a Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, quien asumió, hoy #27Ene, la Presidencia de Honduras. Nuestro abrazo solidario y apoyo a los grandes cambios que vienen para estas tierras que han resistido durante años. pic.twitter.com/roLPFq4Rox

— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) January 28, 2022

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela was one of the first to greet Castro on his inauguration. Following the ceremony, Castro and Palencia met.

Xiomara Castro; Honduras' first female President

Xiomara Castro, Honduras' first female president, took the oath of office on Thursday. In November 2021, she won the presidential election, ending a 130-year power struggle between the Libre and the National Parties.

Two opposing sections in Castro's left-wing Libre party have elected their own president of congress and talks to find an agreement deadlocked overnight on Wednesday.