U.S. Embassy Caracas Resumes Operations in Venezuela

State Dept Press Releases

Published March 30th, 2026

Detected March 30th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of State announced the formal resumption of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 30, 2026. Since 2019, U.S. diplomatic engagement with Venezuela was conducted through the Venezuela Affairs Unit in Bogotá, Colombia. Ambassador Laura F. Dogu arrived in January as Charge d'Affaires to lead operations and is restoring the chancery building for the eventual resumption of consular services.

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What changed

The State Department announced the resumption of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, marking the end of five years of limited diplomatic engagement conducted through the Venezuela Affairs Unit in Colombia. Ambassador Laura F. Dogu arrived in Caracas in January 2026 to serve as Charge d'Affaires and is currently restoring the embassy chancery building to prepare for the full return of personnel and eventual resumption of consular services. This resumption is described as implementing the President's three-phase plan for Venezuela and will strengthen direct U.S. engagement with Venezuela's interim government, civil society, and private sector.

No immediate compliance actions are required from regulated entities. This is an informational announcement about the restoration of diplomatic and consular infrastructure. U.S. citizens in Venezuela and those seeking consular services should monitor State Department communications for updates on when full consular operations will resume. The announcement does not impose regulatory obligations or penalties.

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Home Office of the Spokesperson Press Releases … Resumption of Operations at U.S. Embassy Caracas hide

Resumption of Operations at U.S. Embassy Caracas

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

March 30, 2026

Since March 2019, U.S. diplomatic engagement with Venezuela has been carried out through the Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU), the interim diplomatic office of the U.S. Government to Venezuela, located at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. Today, we are formally resuming operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, marking a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela.

In January, Ambassador Laura F. 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 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.