US Reopens Embassy in Venezuela After Seven Years

The United States has resumed operations at its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, marking the formal reopening after seven years of closure.

The State Department announced the development on Monday, describing it as a renewed phase in diplomatic engagement with Venezuela following years of strained relations.

“Today, we are formally resuming operations at the US embassy in Caracas, marking a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela.”

In a statement, the department said the move signalled a new chapter in bilateral ties and would enhance direct engagement with Venezuela’s interim authorities, civil society, and private sector.

It added that restoring full embassy operations would strengthen Washington’s ability to pursue its diplomatic objectives in the country.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuela was beginning to show signs of improved stability, which could support economic recovery and renewed business activity.

Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio stressed that a full democratic transition remained essential, noting that long-term progress depended on stable governance, without providing a specific timeline.

He also said the United States remained committed to supporting a political transition that would allow Venezuela to realise its economic potential.

The embassy in Caracas had been closed since 2019, shortly after Washington, along with a number of Western and Latin American allies declared Nicolas Maduro to be illegitimate following an election marred by widespread irregularities.

President Donald Trump in January ordered a deadly raid in which US forces snatched Maduro and took him to New York to face charges of drug trafficking, which he denies.

Since then, US diplomatic operations for Venezuela have been managed from Colombia, until preparations began earlier this year for a phased return to Caracas.

A senior US diplomat has been overseeing the reopening process, which included a flag-raising ceremony at the embassy on March 14, ahead of Monday’s announcement of full operations.