"US diplomats arrived in Caracas on Friday to visit the American embassy, which has been closed since Washington withdrew its staff in 2019 after diplomatic relations with Venezuela were severed. This visit comes as both countries confirmed the start of an "exploratory diplomatic process" to restore formal relations and reopen their respective embassies. Footage filmed on Friday shows the embassy building with several vehicles parked inside its facilities. Earlier in the day, Venezuela's foreign minister, Yvan Gil, confirmed the government has launched exploratory talks with Washington aimed at restoring diplomatic relations, saying the discussions are meant to address the fallout from the US capture of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores and to pursue a mutual work agenda. The Venezuelan foreign ministry said US officials will conduct technical and logistical assessments for diplomatic work, while a delegation of Venezuelan diplomats will travel to the United States to perform corresponding duties. Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, said the government will continue to address the situation through diplomatic channels, upholding what she called the Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace to defend national sovereignty."