Venezuela, Britain upgrade diplomatic ties: Venezuelan FM

CARACAS - Venezuela and Britain have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations, Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

"Following talks between authorities of both countries, it has been agreed to raise the level of bilateral relations with the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland," said a statement released by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia.

British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Americas, Multilateral and Human Rights Chris Elmore also announced in a statement to Parliament on Tuesday that "the Government has decided to upgrade its diplomatic relations with Venezuela" and "the UK and Venezuela have agreed (on) our intention to upgrade our representation to Ambassador."

Relations between Britain and Venezuela worsened in 2019, when the British government recognized opposition figure Juan Guaido as "the constitutional interim President of Venezuela."

Following the US military operation in Caracas on Jan 3, which led to the removal and later imprisonment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Washington eased some sanctions on Venezuela, facilitating investment agreements with oil companies.