US Officials Travel to Caracas in Hopes of Reopening Embassy After Maduro Ouster

Senior American diplomats traveled to Caracas on Friday to evaluate whether the United States can begin reopening its embassy, which has been closed since 2019, according to a US official who spoke with the Times of Israel.

John McNamara, the top US diplomat stationed in neighboring Colombia, led the delegation alongside other US personnel, who “traveled to Caracas to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The US embassy in Caracas was shut down in March 2019, when American diplomats withdrew shortly after Washington, joined by several European and Latin American governments, declared Nicolas Maduro’s presidency illegitimate following elections that international observers said were marred by serious irregularities.

The visit comes days after President Donald Trump ordered a military raid on Caracas on January 3, during which US forces removed Maduro from power. Maduro faces drug trafficking charges in the United States, accusations he has denied.

Diplomatic sources said no final decision has yet been made on formally reopening the embassy, citing unresolved logistical issues. Preparations are nevertheless underway, they added, pending final approval from Trump.

Since the embassy’s closure, US diplomatic and consular affairs related to Venezuela have been managed from the American mission in Colombia. The United States, however, also does not currently have a full-ranking ambassador posted in Bogotá.