WASHINGTON, CARACAS – The United States government has formally notified Congress that it is taking initial steps to potentially reopen its embassy in Caracas, which has been closed since March 2019. The notification marks the first official move by Washington toward restoring diplomatic ties with Venezuela after years of severed relations.
In a letter sent to multiple congressional committees, the U.S. Department of State said it is planning a phased reopening of its mission in Venezuela’s capital. As part of this process, a contingent of temporary staff will be sent to Caracas to carry out select diplomatic functions while preparations are made to restore full operations.
The gradual plan includes sending interim personnel to Venezuela and possibly establishing a temporary facility in Caracas while the existing embassy complex, closed since 2019, is renovated and brought up to operational standards. The U.S. state department has also named a diplomat as chargé d’affaires, based in Bogotá, to oversee the mission in the interim.
Washington’s decision comes amid a broader context of cautious diplomatic engagement with Venezuelan authorities following the removal and capture of former president Nicolás Maduro earlier in January. Acting Venezuelan president Delcy Rodríguez has said her government has established “respectful and courteous communication channels” with the U.S. since the transition began.
Although this move is seen as a step toward normalization, it does not yet represent a full restoration of relations. The reopening effort is described as exploratory and technical, involving security assessments, infrastructure improvements, and logistical planning before a complete diplomatic presence can be reestablished.
The U.S. embassy in Caracas was closed in 2019 after diplomatic ties were severed during a previous period of political tension between the two countries. If the reopening proceeds, it would mark a significant shift in U.S.–Venezuela relations after years of disengagement and would support broader efforts to stabilize diplomatic and economic cooperation in the region.
No firm timeline has been announced, and the process remains contingent on further assessments and decisions by the U.S. government. Analysts say that the phased approach illustrates Washington’s attempt to balance diplomatic reengagement with ongoing political uncertainty in Venezuela.