After seven years, the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela is once again open for business. “We are formally resuming operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, marking a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela,” announced the State Department in a press release. “Since March 2019, U.S. diplomatic engagement with Venezuela has been carried out through the Venezuela Affairs Unit located at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.”
In January, Ambassador Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas to lead the U.S. government’s efforts on the ground in Venezuela as Charge d’Affaires. Ambassador Dogu’s team is restoring the chancery building at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas to prepare for the full return of personnel as soon as possible and the eventual resumption of consular services.
The resumption of operations at U.S. Embassy Caracas is a key milestone in implementing President Donald Trump’s three‑phase plan for Venezuela and will strengthen the United States’ ability to engage directly with Venezuela’s interim government, civil society, and the private sector, noted the State Department.
In a recent press interview with Al Jazeera, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the situation in Venezuela is “moving along very well.”
“[O]ur hope is, number one, to stabilize the country. We didn’t want to see civil war. We didn’t want to see systemic collapse. We didn’t want to see a mass migration event. You’ve seen none of these things.”
Indeed, for the first time in decades, said Secretary Rubio, “Venezuela is now selling their oil in the global market at full market price, and the money is coming back to Venezuela and being spent for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.” It’s being spent to buy medical goods and equipment and to cover the salaries of teachers, police officers and civil servants, among other needs.
The second phase in Venezuela will include “a period of recovery in which you try to recover the elements of the country that allow it to prosper and grow, and that is attracting businesses back,” explained Secretary Rubio. “But you’re also seeing civil life come back to life. Independent media is now allowed to operate. Political prisoners have been released. Political parties are forming again. People are speaking and participating in public life.”
But in order for Venezuela to fulfill its economic potential it has to have a stable democratic government so that “people are willing to invest knowing that they’re protected by laws and courts and legitimacy,” said Secretary Rubio.
“We are well on our way to achieving this,” he said. “A lot of credit goes to the interim authorities who have assumed this responsibility. We’ve reopened our embassy. We enter in dialogue with them every single day. We feel very positive about it.”
Venezuela on Track as US Reopens its Embassy
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference following a U.S. strike on Venezuela. (File)
After seven years, the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela is once again open for business. “We are formally resuming operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, marking a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela,” announced the State Department in a press release.