On Monday, March 30, the United States Embassy in Venezuela reopened. Laura Dogu, former U.S. ambassadors to Honduras and Nicaragua, is currently leading a team to restore the embassy office building to facilitate the return of personnel as soon as possible and ultimately resume consular services. A senior State Department official mentioned that there is currently no timeline available for the full resumption of public services at the embassy.
This move is the latest step by the Trump administration to promote economic recovery in Venezuela and ultimately achieve a democratic transition. According to a State Department memorandum obtained by Bloomberg News, restoring the operations of the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela will enhance the U.S. government’s ability to engage directly with the interim government of Venezuela, civil society, and the private sector.
Since March 2019, the United States has been conducting diplomatic contacts with Venezuela through its Venezuela Affairs Unit in Bogota, the capital of Colombia. A State Department spokesperson said in a statement to Bloomberg News that the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is a key milestone in implementing President Trump’s three-phase plan for Venezuela.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly outlined President Trump’s three-phase plan for Venezuela, which includes stability, economic recovery, political reconciliation, and ultimately establishing a democratically elected government.
Following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January, interim President Delcy Rodríguez has been consolidating power. This month, Rodríguez dismissed the longest-serving and most powerful military figure from the Maduro era – the Venezuelan Minister of Defense – and replaced several cabinet members appointed by Maduro with his own loyalists. Rodríguez has also cooperated with the U.S. in opening up Venezuela’s oil industry, amending foreign investment laws, earning praise from President Trump.
During a White House cabinet meeting last Thursday, President Trump stated that cooperation with Venezuela has been very smooth, the country’s current situation is better than ever, likening the partnership to a joint venture where the U.S. has gained significant profits.
The Rodríguez government has announced a large-scale prisoner amnesty, but human rights organizations have noted that the Venezuelan government still restricts the political activities of released individuals, and the scope of the amnesty is considered insufficient. President Trump has met twice with María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, but U.S. officials have indicated ongoing efforts to stabilize and revive the Venezuelan economy, urging patience from Machado in pushing for elections.
Several top U.S. officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Interior Secretary Doug Bougham, met with Rodríguez in Venezuela, marking the first visit by U.S. cabinet-level officials to the country in years.
Following meetings with U.S. investors and companies last week, Laura Dogu released a statement emphasizing the fundamental role of the U.S. private sector in building a stable and prosperous Venezuela, stating that the embassy’s role is to support American investment growth.