Venezuela and the Dominican Republic say they will work to restore ties

Two countries have agreed to roadmap towards the full restoration of diplomatic ties, cut off after contested 2024 vote.Published On 2 Aug 20262 Aug 2026Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have agreed to work towards restoring relations, which were severed after the Dominican Republic criticised the re-election of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as fraudulent.The two countries agreed on a roadmap for further talks on “gradual normalisation” of diplomatic ties, according to a statement from Venezuela’s foreign ministry on Sunday.“This decision responds to the shared interest of strengthening institutional channels of communication to benefit people of both countries,” the ministry said, calling the agreement the result of “sustained dialogue” between both nations.The Dominican Republic joined dozens of other countries in announcing that they would not recognise Maduro’s 2024 re-election amid widespread allegations of fraud from election observers and Venezuela’s political opposition. Those elections were followed by a deadly government crackdown on ensuing protests. Venezuela reacted by cutting off diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic.Maduro was abducted by U...