After 7 Years of Closure, US Embassy in Venezuela Resumes Operations
The United States Embassy in Venezuela resumed operations on Monday (30/3), after being closed for seven years. The reopening of the US Embassy occurred several months after Washington overthrew Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a surprise military operation last January.
“Today, we are officially resuming operations at the US Embassy in Caracas, marking a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela,” the US State Department stated, as reported by AFP on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
The normal operation of the embassy, according to the US State Department, “will strengthen our ability to engage directly with the interim Venezuelan government, civil society, and the private sector”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the progress in Venezuela, stating that the country is beginning to see “stability that brings business back”.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Rubio commended the interim Venezuelan government but also called for an eventual transition to democracy in the country, without setting a timeline.
“You want to see a full transition because for Venezuela to realise its economic potential, the country must have a stable and democratic government,” Rubio told Al Jazeera.
The US closed its Embassy in Caracas in March 2019, shortly after Washington, along with Western and Latin American allies, declared Maduro illegitimate following an election marred by widespread irregularities.
US President Donald Trump, in early January, ordered a deadly incursion into Venezuela, where US military forces captured Maduro and brought him to New York to stand trial on drug trafficking charges. Maduro denied the allegations.
Since then, the US has worked with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who previously served as Vice President during the Maduro era.
Despite her background, Trump praised relations with Rodriguez, with his main priorities including helping US oil companies, enforcing cooperation by threatening violence if she does not comply.
Since 2019, the US has conducted diplomatic operations for Venezuela from the neighbouring country, Colombia. Laura Dogu, a veteran US diplomat, arrived in Caracas in January to lead the Embassy, where the US flag was raised again on 14 March.