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New US Envoy Laura Dogu Arrives in Venezuela to Reopen Embassy

KVIA•Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10:13 PM•CNN Newsource

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Laura F. Dogu, the newly appointed US envoy to Venezuela, landed in Caracas on Saturday, marking a pivotal move towards reestablishing diplomatic relations between the US and Venezuela after nearly seven years. The US plans to reopen its embassy, which has been closed since 2019, and Dogu will lead efforts to engage with both public and private sectors in Venezuela to facilitate this process. Her arrival follows recent diplomatic developments, including a US State Department team visiting Venezuela for the first time since the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The US aims to utilize a phased approach for reopening embassy services, which may include a temporary facility. This diplomatic shift is significant as Venezuela's acting government has shown willingness to cooperate with US interests, including changes in oil industry regulations and potential political prisoner releases.

Key Details: • Laura Dogu's arrival marks the US's first diplomatic engagement in Venezuela since 2019. • The US plans to reopen its embassy with a phased approach, potentially starting with a temporary facility. • Venezuela's government has made recent moves favorable to the US, including changes to oil industry regulations. • Dogu is a veteran diplomat with prior experience in Central America and currently advises military leadership.

venezuela diplomacy political-prisoners us-foreign-relations embassy

People & Organizations

VenezuelaNicolás MaduroMarco RubioYván Gil PintoCIACaracasUS State DepartmentDelcy RodríguezLaura F. Dogu

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