Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have moved to re-establish diplomatic relations, which were cut off following the 2024 election. Venezuela’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday that a roadmap had been agreed to gradually normalize ties between the two nations. This comes after the Dominican Republic refused to recognize former President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election, calling it fraudulent.
The Dominican government had joined a number of other countries in rejecting the election results. Venezuela reacted by severing diplomatic relations, accusing the Dominican Republic of interfering in its internal affairs. The 2024 election was followed by a violent government response to anti-regime protests, with international observers raising concerns about the conduct of the vote.
Under interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela has recently signaled a shift in approach, seeking to re-engage with former adversaries and align more closely with US interests in the region. This includes allowing greater US access to Venezuela’s oil and mineral reserves. The country also recently announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, accusing it of being biased against non-Western states.
The ICC had previously announced an investigation into potential crimes against humanity by the Venezuelan government during the 2017 protests. Venezuela’s decision to leave the court came at a time when the Trump administration was also working to undermine its influence. Alongside the new diplomatic overture, Venezuela recently agreed to resume flights and consular services with the Dominican Republic, signaling a thaw in relations.