U.S. reopens Venezuelan embassy after seven-year closure

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(The Center Square) – The U.S. officially reopened its embassy in Caracas on Monday for the first time after its ousting of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The U.S. shuttered its Venezuelan embassy in 2019, after a breakdown in diplomatic relations with the country. The U.S. would not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela and diplomats were facing increasing hostility, including orders from Maduro to leave the country. Since 2019, the U.S. has carried out diplomatic engagement with Venezuela through a team operating from its embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.

“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,” the State Department said in a statement Monday.

The department sent longtime ambassador Laura Dogu, who has previously served as the ambassador to Nicaragua and Honduras, to Caracas in January to lead diplomatic efforts on the ground and the restoration of the chancery building. The U.S. conducted its targeted nighttime operation to oust Maduro on Jan. 3. 

The U.S. will eventually resume consular operations once the building is restored enough for full personnel.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a transcribed interview with Al Jazeera that after stabilization and recovery, the final phase of American efforts in Venezuelan a is “a full transition” to a truly democratic form of government.

Currently, Delcy Rodríguez, who was vice president under Maduro since 2018, is serving as the acting president of Venezuela.