Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil (Photo: Venezuela's Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS)

The government of interim President Delcy Rodríguez has decided to initiate an exploratory diplomatic process with the government of the US, aimed at re-establishing diplomatic missions in both countries, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement.

A US official said Friday that John McNamara, the top US diplomat in neighboring Colombia, and other personnel travelled to Caracas to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations of the US Embassy.

Venezuela said it would reciprocate by sending a delegation to Washington.

Caracas’s announcement came just days after the US military operation on January 3, which resulted in the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.