The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela raised the American flag on Saturday, marking the first time the stars and stripes have flown at the diplomatic mission in seven years.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Venezuela Laura F. Dogu confirmed the flag raising, noting that the American flag was last lowered on March 14, 2019, when diplomatic operations were suspended.

The flag raising comes amid broader changes in U.S.-Venezuela relations. The United States has also expanded sanctions waivers related to Venezuela, specifically targeting fertilizer exports and electricity investment opportunities.

The restoration of the flag represents a symbolic step in diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been strained for years. The U.S. had withdrawn diplomatic personnel and suspended embassy operations in 2019 amid political tensions with the Venezuelan government.

The timing of both the flag raising and the expanded sanctions waivers suggests a coordinated approach by the Biden administration to recalibrate its Venezuela policy, though the full scope of any diplomatic reset remains unclear.