By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - The Venezuelan government announced Friday that it would begin an "exploratory process" to reestablish diplomatic ties with the US after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
Caracas continued to sharply criticize the "criminal, illegitimate, and illegal aggression" that led to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being whisked out of Venezuela by US forces in the early morning of Jan. 3, saying the US operation had led to over 100 civilian and military deaths and violated international law.
"For the purpose of addressing this situation within the framework of international law, and in strict adherence to the principles of national sovereignty and the Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela has decided to initiate an exploratory process of a diplomatic nature with the Government of the United States of America," it said in a statement.
The effort will be "aimed at the reestablishment of diplomatic missions in both countries, with the purpose of addressing the consequences arising from the aggression and the abduction of the President of the Republic and the First Lady, as well as addressing a work agenda of mutual interest," it added.
Maduro and Flores were captured in an early-morning operation last Saturday by US forces, subsequently flown out of the country and on to New York, where they stood trial in an initial hearing over drug and weapons charges. On Monday they pled not guilty to all charges.