After nearly seven years, the United States is taking steps to restore its diplomatic presence in Venezuela. On Saturday, the new top US envoy, Laura F. Dogu, arrived in Caracas and announced her arrival on social media, saying she and her team were ready to begin work. A State Department official said Dogu would engage with representatives from government, private sectors, and civil society to advance a three-step plan on Venezuela set by the US president and secretary of state.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto welcomed Dogu’s arrival, describing it as part of efforts to outline bilateral cooperation and resolve differences based on mutual respect and international law. Dogu currently serves as chargé d’affaires of the US Venezuela Affairs Unit based in Colombia, and her arrival in Caracas is seen as a significant public step toward restoring relations between the two countries.

The US withdrew its diplomats and suspended embassy operations in Caracas in 2019. Washington now plans to gradually reopen embassy functions and establish temporary diplomatic facilities, with Dogu expected to lead future operations from Caracas.