Venezuela restores diplomatic ties with United States six months after Maduro capture

On 3 January 2026, former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was arrested during a U.S. military operation in the Caracas area. The incident has been described by interim president Delcy Rodríguez as a “turning point” for Venezuela’s domestic politics and its international relations.

Rodríguez said the capture led to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the United States, which had been severed in 2019. Six months later she declared that the country is “on the right road”, emphasizing a shift from confrontation to dialogue. She added, “The 3 January 2026 marked a turning point for national politics and our vision for international relations.”

Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Jr., attended Rodríguez’s public address, underscoring the personal dimension of the political change. The government now stresses diplomatic engagement as the path forward for Venezuela’s stability and its relationship with Washington.