WASHINGTON — In a significant diplomatic development, the United States has officially reopened its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, reinstating full diplomatic relations with the South American nation. This move follows the previous administration’s decision to cut ties in January, when former President Nicolas Maduro was ousted.

The State Department announced on Monday the resumption of standard operations at the Caracas embassy, which had been closed for seven years since the Trump administration’s first term. The building required substantial repairs, including mold remediation, before reopening.

A team of U.S. diplomats, stationed in Colombia, has been working on the ground in Caracas for over a month. They marked their presence with a flag-raising ceremony on March 14, but the embassy was not fully operational until the recent reopening.

“The reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is a pivotal step in executing the president’s three-phase strategy for Venezuela,” a State Department statement read. “This will enhance our capacity to directly interact with Venezuela’s interim government, civil society, and business sectors.”

Describing this development as “a new chapter in our diplomatic relations with Venezuela,” the State Department emphasized the importance of the move.

However, restoration work on the consular section, which provides passport and visa services to Americans and Venezuelans, is still underway. Until this work is completed, individuals requiring assistance should continue to reach out to the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, according to the department.