Interim President Delcy Rodriguez met U.S. envoy Laura Dogu at Miraflores as Caracas and Washington cautiously restore ties cut in 2019. Talks focused on a shared agenda covering energy, trade and political and economic issues, and both sides agreed to advance a diplomatic roadmap based on mutual respect and international law. Felix Plasencia will travel to Washington as Venezuela's diplomatic representative, and the countries have reached a deal to export up to $2 billion of Venezuelan crude to the U.S. Rodriguez also proposed an amnesty law that could free hundreds of prisoners.
Venezuela and U.S. Take Steps to Restore Ties: Interim President Delcy Rodriguez Meets U.S. Envoy
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez delivers remarks during a protest held by Venezuelan oil workers in support of reforming the country's main oil law and the release of ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 29, 2026. REUTERS/Gaby Oraa
Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez met on Monday with U.S. envoy Laura Dogu at the Miraflores presidential palace as Caracas and Washington continue a cautious restoration of diplomatic relations that were severed in 2019.
The Venezuelan government said the meeting focused on "the work agenda between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the United States," with an emphasis on practical cooperation and next steps for bilateral engagement.
What Was Discussed
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil told state television the talks covered a "common agenda" highlighting energy, trade, political and economic issues. The government said Jorge Rodriguez, head of the National Assembly and the interim president's brother, also attended the meeting.
Officials confirmed that Felix Plasencia, a former foreign minister and former ambassador to China, will travel to Washington in the coming days to serve as Venezuela's diplomatic representative.
U.S. Position And Roadmap
The U.S. embassy said Dogu reiterated a three‑phase approach that U.S. officials have described for Venezuela: stabilization, economic recovery and reconciliation, and a longer-term political transition. Both governments issued a joint statement saying they aim to advance a roadmap for bilateral matters through diplomatic dialogue based on mutual respect and international law.
Context And Recent Developments
Following months of heightened tensions, recent political and policy shifts in Venezuela — including reforms to the country's flagship oil law and the release of some political prisoners — have accompanied the thaw in relations. Separately, the two countries reached a deal to export up to $2 billion of Venezuelan crude to the United States.
Rodriguez also announced a proposed "amnesty law" intended to free hundreds of prisoners, a measure long sought by opposition groups and human rights advocates. Venezuelan and U.S. officials said continued dialogue will focus on how to implement agreed steps while addressing broader political and economic challenges.
"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," the Venezuelan statement said.
Diplomatic contacts are expected to continue in the coming days as Plasencia prepares for his trip to Washington and as both sides work to operationalize the agreements discussed during the visit.
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