The US State Department said on Monday it has formally reopened its embassy in Caracas for the first time since March 2019.
Washington closed the mission during Donald Trump’s first term after Nicolas Maduro’s disputed 2018 election victory. Since a January 2026 military operation that seized Maduro and brought him to the United States on drug‑trafficking charges, the second Trump administration has reestablished diplomatic ties with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez.
“Today, we are formally resuming operations at the US Embassy in Caracas, marking a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela,” the State Department said.
Laura F. Dogu, a career diplomat who previously served as ambassador to Honduras and Nicaragua, has been named charge d’affaires. Dogu arrived in late January to “lead the US government’s efforts on the ground,” the State Department said. The US flag was first raised at the embassy site in mid‑March to mark the formal resumption of ties agreed earlier that month.
Dogu’s team is working to restore the chancery to provide public consular services; officials say the building has issues such as mold after seven years of inactivity. Nonetheless, the embassy’s diplomacy functions are resuming normal operations.
“The resumption of operations at US 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,” the State Department added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised what he described as progress in Venezuela since Maduro was ousted and taken to the US, saying the country was beginning to see “the kind of stability that brings businesses back.” Speaking to Al Jazeera, Rubio credited interim authorities but urged a full transition to democracy, saying: “You want to see a full transition because in order for Venezuela to fulfill its economic potential, it has to have a stable, democratic government.”
Maduro is facing narco‑terrorism charges in the United States and is being tried in a New York court.
Edited by: Rana Taha