CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) 鈥� The American flag was raised Saturday over the U.S. Embassy in for the first time since 2019, a move that highlighted the recent shift in relations between the two countries since then President was captured by American troops in January.
Though the flag is now waving, the building is undergoing renovations and it remains unclear when it will fully reopen.
The move comes after several statements from U.S. President in support of Maduro鈥檚 successor, acting , who has tried to keep negotiations open with the American government.
The flag was raised "exactly seven years after it was taken down,鈥� the U.S. Embassy team said in a statement published on its social media channels.
The American flag being raised drew immediate attention from local residents.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a good thing, really, what a joy,鈥� said Caracas resident Luz Ver贸nica L贸pez. 鈥淥ther countries must come back too because that鈥檚 what we need; progress, to move forward with good relations with the rest of the world, as it should be.鈥�
Alessandro Di Benedetto, another Caracas resident, noted the positive atmosphere among those witnessing the moment.
鈥淚 found several people here surprised and happy because today they raised the U.S. flag at the embassy,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is positive; this is another step.鈥�
Despite the initiative, large chunks of Venezuelan society and the political establishment remain critics of Trump, his decision to forcefully remove Maduro from office and jail him in New York with his wife, and growing U.S. influence in the South American country's oil industry.
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