US, Venezuela agree to improve ties, Caracas says
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Venezuela announces that it agreed with the United States to improve their bilateral relations after the renewal of sanctions on Washington's end.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro attends a signing of an agreement to respect the results of the upcoming presidential elections, at the National Electoral Council headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela, June 20, 2024 (AP)
Venezuela and the United States have taken a step towards mending their relationship, agreeing to "improve relations" as they restarted negotiations, Caracas announced Wednesday, months after Washington had reinstated severe sanctions on Venezuela.
During the initial meeting, both parties showed a "willingness" to cooperate in enhancing their bilateral ties, as stated by President Nicolas Maduro's chief negotiator, Jorge Rodriguez, on the social media platform X.
Rodriguez also mentioned that the negotiators agreed to "maintain communications in a respectful and constructive manner," highlighting a potential easing of the tension between the two countries.
Maduro revealed Monday that the discussions with the United States would resume, although Washington did not comment on the matter.
According to Maduro, the proposal to renew negotiations originated from Washington, and Caracas accepted it after two months of thorough deliberation.
Talks similar to those that Maduro announced are set to be renewed also took place in late 2023. At the time, after months of negotiations facilitated by Qatar, Washington and Caracas reached a prisoner exchange agreement that included the liberation of Alex Saab.
Following an accord between Maduro's government and the opposition in Barbados last October, the United States had suspended some sanctions. This agreement included a commitment to hold a free and fair election in 2024 under the supervision of international observers. However, this progress was halted when sanctions were reinstated in April.
"We will debate and seek new agreements to ensure that everything is respected, particularly what was signed in Qatar," Maduro said on Monday.
Moreover, Maduro announced that Jorge Rodriguez, the official negotiator, and president of the National Assembly, will travel for the talks, but did not specify the agenda.
The negotiations, which began about two years ago, faced a setback when Maduro's government accused the United States of breaching the Qatar agreement following the reimposition of US oil sanctions last April.
