The United States has officially reopened its embassy in Venezuela after a seven-year hiatus
The United States officially resumed operations at its diplomatic mission in Caracas on Monday, March 30.
Bloomberg reported this.
According to a State Department memorandum, this step is intended to strengthen direct engagement with the country’s interim government, civil society, and the private sector. Laura Douga has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires ad interim; since January, she has led the team responsible for restoring the embassy building and preparing for the return of the full staff and consular services.
The resumption of the mission’s operations is a key stage in President Donald Trump’s three-tiered plan, which calls for economic stabilization and political reconciliation in Venezuela, followed by a transition to democratic elections. Since March 2019, U.S. diplomatic functions regarding Venezuela have been carried out through a special office in Colombia. Despite the opening of the facility, the exact timeline for restoring the full range of government services has not yet been determined. The U.S. President called the event a strategic partnership, noting a significant improvement in the situation in the country and economic benefits for the American side.
Colombia has officially requested a special license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to invest in Venezuelan energy projects.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado spoke in Houston before representatives of American oil companies, proposing to transfer the country’s oil and gas sector into their private ownership.
