Caracas, Venezuela — The United States resumed operations at its embassy in Venezuela on Monday after it had been shuttered for seven years.
The announcement follows weeks of rapid rapprochement between the administration of President Donald Trump and the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez, who took power following the U.S. military capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3.
The U.S. State Department confirmed the move in a statement noting that the resumption of activities marks “a new chapter” in the U.S. diplomatic presence in the country.
“The resumption of operations at U.S. Embassy Caracas is a key milestone in implementing the President’s three‑phase plan for Venezuela and will strengthen our ability to engage directly with Venezuela’s interim government, civil society, and the private sector,” a statement read.
Relations between Washington and Caracas had been suspended since January 2019, when Maduro accused the U.S. government (during Trump’s first presidential term) of “interventionism” for recognizing congressman Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president.
In early March, both administrations formalized the restoration of diplomatic ties.
The diplomatic mission is led by Chargé d’Affaires Laura Dogu, who arrived in Venezuela in January to lead the process. According to the State Department, her team is currently working on restoring the embassy to allow for the full return of staff “as soon as possible” and the resumption of consular services.
In a video message shared on social media, Dogu, said in Spanish, “we’re starting a new chapter in our bilateral relations.”
According to the embassy, the team in Caracas will restore basic diplomatic functions, such as engaging with political actors, civil society, and the private sector, as well as fostering ties between business leaders from both countries.
“We’re just getting started, and there is a lot to do while continuing to execute the three-step plan by the Trump administration,” Dogu said, referring to a plan outlined by the administration in January including “stabilization,” “recovery” and “transition.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that the country has already entered the second phase.
For their part, embassy officials emphasized that the return to Caracas will allow for expanded engagement with various sectors of the country, as well as the creation of employment opportunities within the diplomatic mission.
The reopening comes just days after a delegation, led by Félix Plasencia, Venezuela’s chargé d’affaires, traveled to Washington to meet with U.S. officials and take control of the Venezuelan diplomatic mission in that country, which had remained under the custody of the State Department since 2023.
During the years of diplomatic rupture, U.S. diplomatic activity regarding Venezuela was conducted through an office based at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
Featured image: Screenshot of Chargé d’Affaires Laura Dogu announcing the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Caracas on social media.
Image credit: Embajada de los EE.UU. en Caracas via X.
