Venezuela announces the launch of "exploratory diplomacy" as a US delegation arrives to assess the reopening of the embassy.

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Venezuela and the United States are initiating a process to normalize relations, marking the first substantial diplomatic contact between the two countries since they severed ties over five years ago. A series of reports this Friday indicate that a U.S. State Department delegation has arrived in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, to assess the reopening of the U.S. embassy, while the Trump administration is promoting the investment of American oil companies in Venezuela’s resources.

According to Xinhua News Agency, on Friday, January 9th, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Gil announced via social media and official government bulletin that the Venezuelan government has decided to start an "exploratory diplomacy" process with the U.S. government, aimed at restoring the work of their respective diplomatic missions and formulating a joint agenda of interests.

At midday on Friday, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry confirmed that State Department officials had arrived in Venezuela “to conduct technical and logistical evaluations,” while Venezuelan representatives would travel to the U.S. “to fulfill corresponding duties.” According to China Central Television (CCTV), this is the first time U.S. personnel entered the country since Venezuelan President Maduro was forcibly controlled.

According to reports, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry also stated: “Venezuela will respond to U.S. aggression through diplomatic channels.”

Earlier on Friday, according to Xinhua News Agency, Trump announced on social media the cancellation of the previously scheduled second wave of military strikes against Venezuela, but emphasized that all U.S. naval vessels would remain deployed. He also revealed that Venezuelan opposition leader Machado could visit the U.S. next week, with the possibility of a meeting between the two sides.

Later, Trump said that a meeting held on Friday with oil industry figures mainly discussed investment issues regarding Venezuela. U.S. Energy Secretary Wright and Interior Secretary Burgum will meet with other oil company representatives next week.

U.S. Assesses Embassy Reopening

According to CCTV News, a U.S. State Department working group arrived in Caracas, Venezuela on Friday, January 9. A State Department plane departed Curacao and landed at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas.

The purpose of the U.S. visit is to conduct a preliminary assessment for the phased resumption of embassy operations in Venezuela. The delegation includes diplomatic and security officials from the Venezuela Affairs Unit based in Colombia, as well as John T. McNamara, chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia. State Department officials said the preparations are underway, and whether the embassy will formally reopen depends on Trump’s decision.

In January 2019, Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with the U.S., and all U.S. embassy staff withdrew from Venezuela by March that year. In August 2019, the State Department established a Venezuela Affairs Unit in Bogota, Colombia.

Trump Promotes Oil Companies' Investment in Venezuela

According to CCTV News, U.S. Energy Secretary Wright said on Friday, January 9, that the Trump administration would adjust relevant policies to allow U.S. oil companies to operate in Venezuela. Wright said most of the investment would come from company capital, and so far no oil company has requested funding support from the U.S. government.

The report notes that Trump met with more than a dozen oil industry executives at the White House on Friday to promote U.S. energy companies investing in the reconstruction of Venezuela's oil infrastructure. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum attended the meeting. A White House spokesperson said the meeting was held after Trump announced a “historic energy agreement” with Venezuela, with a focus on investment opportunities for American oil companies in Venezuela.

Companies that sent representatives to the White House included Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Valero Energy, Marathon Oil, and Shell.

U.S. Interior Secretary Burgum told the media on Friday that the Trump administration is unlikely to provide financial support to help U.S. oil companies revitalize Venezuela’s oil industry.

Burgum, who also serves as head of the White House National Energy Leadership Committee, said, “Funding will come from capital markets and energy enterprises. I do not believe these companies need U.S. (government) support outside of security. If we can provide a safe and stable environment, the resources here are so important and immense that they will attract people to develop them.”

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump emphasized that the U.S. and Venezuela are working closely together, especially in rebuilding oil and gas infrastructure on a "larger scale, with better quality, and more modern technology." He revealed that large U.S. oil companies will invest at least $100 billion.

U.S. Continues to Intercept Oil Tankers Linked to Venezuela

According to CCTV News, the U.S. Southern Command confirmed on Friday, January 9th, that the U.S. military and Department of Homeland Security, in a joint dawn operation, seized the "Orina" oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. No conflict occurred during the operation.

The statement said the operation was carried out by the joint task force "Southern Spear," with actions launched from the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, and multiple U.S. amphibious warships provided support. The U.S. emphasized it will continue to combat unlawful activities.

This is the fifth interception in recent weeks of vessels suspected of transporting Venezuelan crude oil, aimed at strengthening control over Venezuelan oil exports. The "Orina" tanker apparently set off from Venezuela and was accused of disguising itself under the flag of Timor-Leste. A British maritime risk management company said the ship’s AIS position system last signaled activity 52 days ago in the northeastern waters of Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Colombian President Voices Security Concerns

According to CCTV News, Colombian President Petro recently said in an interview that he is indeed worried about facing a fate similar to Venezuelan President Maduro, stating that “any national leader not aligned with certain interests could be forcibly taken away.”

Spanish media reported on Friday the 9th that Petro admitted in an interview with them on Thursday that he feared he could be forcibly controlled by the U.S. military like Maduro, but believes that his call with Trump on the 7th “froze” this threat.

Petro told the media, "Trump himself told me in the call that he was considering doing something bad in Colombia. He meant that they were already planning a military operation." When asked if the threat had subsided, Petro said, "I think the threat was ‘frozen,’ but I might be wrong. We don’t know what specific military operation was planned, just that something was underway."

Petro pointed out that Trump has sent relevant signals many times in recent months, but he does not rule out the possibility that the situation could escalate again.

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