Washington, March 31: The United States has officially resumed operations at its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, after several years of limited engagement. This move marks a significant step in re-establishing diplomatic presence in the country.
The U.S. Department of State announced that since March 2019, American diplomatic efforts regarding Venezuela had been conducted through the “Venezuela Affairs Unit” located at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
On Monday, the State Department stated, “We are formally resuming operations at the U.S. embassy in Caracas. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela.”
Ambassador Laura F. Dogu arrived in Caracas in January to lead this mission, overseeing the repair of the embassy and preparations for the return of staff. Her team is currently working on restoring the main building of the embassy, with plans for a full staff return as soon as possible, which will also facilitate the resumption of consular services.
The State Department described this reopening as a crucial milestone in the President’s three-phase plan for Venezuela. It aims to enhance U.S. engagement with Venezuela’s interim government, civil society, and private sector.
The U.S. embassy in Caracas was closed in 2019 due to deteriorating relations and heightened tensions between the two nations. Since then, officials have been operating through the Venezuela Affairs Unit in Colombia.
Authorities indicated that essential services would be reinstated in phases, although visa and consular services may take additional time to resume.
This return signals Washington’s intent to directly reconnect with Venezuelan institutions, civil society, and the private sector. It also reflects a broader, phased strategy by the U.S. administration aimed at stabilizing relations between the two countries after years of limited contact and political differences, while strengthening its presence in the region.