Venezuela, U.S. Envoys Hold High-Level Talks as Diplomatic Thaw Continues
CARACAS, Feb 2 (Reuters) – In a move signaling a continued diplomatic thaw, Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez hosted U.S. Special Envoy for Venezuela Laura Dogu at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on Monday. The meeting is part of a concerted effort by both nations to rebuild relations, which were formally broken in 2019.
The Venezuelan government stated the discussions focused on advancing a "work agenda" between the two countries. The delegation included key figures such as National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, the interim president's brother, and Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, who had previously met with Dogu over the weekend.
"The governments of Venezuela and the United States have set out to advance on a roadmap to address matters of bilateral interest, through diplomatic dialogue and on the basis of mutual respect and international law," read an official statement.
Background & Analysis: This high-level engagement follows a period of intense upheaval triggered by the U.S.-led capture of former President Nicolas Maduro a month ago. The subsequent political shifts—including Rodriguez's swearing-in, reforms to the critical oil sector, and the release of some political detainees—have created an opening for renewed dialogue. The interim government has consistently expressed its desire for "balanced and respectful international relations," a sentiment cautiously echoed by U.S. officials who have described the current engagement as "going well."
The rapprochement carries immediate economic and political implications. The two countries have already inked a preliminary deal allowing for up to $2 billion in Venezuelan crude exports to the United States, providing a vital lifeline to Venezuela's crippled economy. Furthermore, Rodriguez recently proposed a sweeping "amnesty law" for hundreds of prisoners, a key demand from opposition and human rights groups, suggesting domestic political maneuvers are aligning with the external diplomatic push.
Reaction & Commentary
Carlos Mendez, Political Analyst (Caracas Think Tank): "This isn't just a meeting; it's a carefully choreographed step in a complex normalization process. The presence of both Jorge Rodriguez and the Foreign Minister indicates this is a unified state agenda, not a side channel. The economic incentives, particularly the oil deal, are the clear drivers for Caracas."
Senator James Foley (Foreign Relations Committee, U.S.): "Engagement with the interim administration is a pragmatic necessity to address the humanitarian crisis and regional stability. However, our policy must remain conditional on verifiable progress toward free and fair elections. We are not endorsing a regime; we are managing a transition."
Maria Revuelta, Opposition Activist (Exiled): "This is a farce! They are legitimizing a puppet government installed after a foreign intervention. Every handshake in Miraflores is a betrayal of the Venezuelan people's sovereignty. Where is the justice for Maduro? Where is the commitment to a full restoration of democracy, not just convenient oil deals?"
Dr. Kemi Adebayo, Latin America Scholar (University of London): "The Rodriguez-Dogu meeting underscores a strategic recalculation in Washington. The previous policy of maximum pressure yielded limited results. Now, the U.S. appears to be testing a dual-track approach: leveraging economic relief to incentivize political concessions from the new authority in Caracas, while cautiously navigating a profoundly fractured political landscape."
(Reporting by Reuters; Additional reporting and analysis by Global Desk)