The United States officially reopened its embassy in Caracas on Monday, ending a seven-year closure that began amid tensions with Venezuela’s leftist government. This move marks a renewed chapter in diplomatic relations between the two countries, as the embassy returns to full operation.
The State Department emphasized that restoring the embassy’s functions will improve direct engagement with Venezuela’s interim government, civil society, and private sector. This development is seen as a step toward stabilizing the country and fostering economic growth.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the progress in Venezuela, noting signs of increasing stability that could encourage business investment. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio acknowledged the efforts of the interim authorities but stressed the need for a complete transition to democracy, without specifying a timeline. He stated, “For Venezuela to reach its economic potential, it must have a stable, democratic government.”
The US had closed its embassy in Caracas in March 2019 after Washington, alongside several Western and Latin American allies, declared Nicolás Maduro’s presidency illegitimate due to an election fraught with irregularities. Earlier that year, President Donald Trump authorized a raid aimed at capturing Maduro, who was accused of drug trafficking and taken to New York to face charges he denies.
Since then, the United States has engaged with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president. Despite her controversial background, the Trump administration supported cooperation with Rodríguez on key issues, including assistance to US oil companies, sometimes backed by threats of force to ensure compliance.
During the embassy’s closure, US diplomatic activities related to Venezuela were conducted from neighboring Colombia. In January, Laura Dogu, an experienced US diplomat, arrived in Caracas to lead the embassy, and the American flag was raised again on March 14, symbolizing the restoration of formal diplomatic presence.
