LIMA, July 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Peru and Venezuela will resume diplomatic relations after severing ties over now-ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro's disputed election win in 2024, both foreign ministries announced Friday.

Caracas had cut bilateral relations in July of that year after Lima recognized Venezuela's opposition leader as the election winner, and not then-incumbent Maduro as electoral authorities had concluded.

In January of this year, however, US forces abducted Maduro, who has since been replaced by interim president and Washington ally Delcy Rodriguez.

Peru and Venezuela's diplomatic relations were set to resume gradually, both foreign ministries said.

"The Government of the Republic of Peru and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are pleased to announce that they have decided to begin a gradual process for the full resumption of bilateral relations," a joint statement read.

"Venezuela must engage in international relations through Bolivarian diplomacy for peace," Rodriguez said Friday during a military ceremony.

The announcement comes days before Peru's conservative president-elect Keiko Fujimori takes office on July 28.

After Colombia, Peru is the largest recipient of Venezuelan migrants, with more than 1.6 million living in the Andean country.