A high-level US delegation held a meeting with Venezuelan government officials in Caracus during the weekend for talks as Washington looks for alternative sources to replace Russian oil which has now come under an embargo.

The talks represent a marked shift in US foreign policy as Washington had cut off ties with President Nicolas Maduro’s government in 2019 and had imposed a ban on Venezuela’s oil which accounts for over 95% of the country’s revenue. 

Venezuela is also among the countries that have assured Russian President Vladimir Putin of his "strong support" in the wake of the Ukraine conflict.

"As it relates to Venezuela, the purpose of the trip that was taken by administration officials was to discuss a range of issues including certainly energy, energy security," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

Maduro confirmed the meeting in a televised appearance late Monday, describing it as "respectful, cordial and diplomatic" but did not divulge any details about the issues that were discussed.

"We did it in the presidential office," he said. "We had almost two hours talking."

"It seemed very important to me to be able, face to face, to discuss topics of maximum interest to Venezuela," he said.

According to The New York Times, the visit by senior State Department and White House officials was linked to Washington's interest in replacing part of the oil it currently buys from Russia with the oil it stopped buying from Venezuela.

The White House has indicated it is examining alternatives to replace Russian oil imports and maintaining global supply.

Psaki said the delegation also raised the "health and welfare" of a number of Americans detained in the country including six oil executives jailed in 2017. He also said that energy talks and the detainees' fate were "separate paths and conversations."

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