US and Venezuela move to restore diplomatic ties two months after Maduro’s capture

Re-establishing diplomatic relations will support Venezuela's economy, US state department claims, amid push for minerals access

Venezuela and the US are restoring diplomatic ties, the two countries announced Thursday, in a new sign of thawing relations after Washington ousted former president Nicolas Maduro.

The announcement came as US interior secretary Doug Burgum wrapped up a two-day trip to Venezuela, part of US president Donald Trump's push for greater access to the country's mineral wealth.