The United States has named Laura F. Dogu, a seasoned diplomat and former ambassador to Nicaragua and Honduras, as the new charge d’affaires to Venezuela, according to a U.S. diplomatic source speaking to AFP on Thursday. The appointment comes less than three weeks after Washington’s dramatic ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a lightning military operation.
Background: Maduro’s Removal and U.S. Control
On January 3, 2026, U.S. troops seized Maduro in Caracas, an operation President Donald Trump later described as leaving the United States able to “run” Venezuela and control its vast oil industry.
Maduro’s removal followed years of strained relations. Caracas and Washington severed diplomatic ties in 2019 after Maduro’s disputed reelection, leaving the U.S. embassy largely deserted except for a handful of local staff.
Transition of Leadership
With Maduro gone, Delcy Rodriguez, formerly vice president in his anti-U.S. government, has assumed the role of U.S.-backed interim president. Trump has said he is working “really well” with Rodriguez, though he has also warned her of consequences if she fails to meet U.S. demands on reforms and oil access.
Rodriguez has since announced:
- Oil agreements with Washington
- Plans to reform Venezuela’s hydrocarbons law, which currently restricts foreign involvement in the nationalized sector
- A commitment to release political prisoners
“We are in a process of dialogue, of working with the United States, without any fear, to confront our differences and difficulties…and to address them through diplomacy,” Rodriguez said Wednesday.
Embassy Operations Resuming
Until Dogu’s appointment, John McNamara had served as U.S. charge d’affaires for Venezuela, operating from neighboring Colombia. He and other diplomats traveled to Caracas shortly after Maduro’s ouster to conduct an initial assessment for a phased resumption of embassy operations.
A charge d’affaires heads a diplomatic mission in the absence of a full ambassador, making Dogu’s appointment a key step toward restoring U.S. diplomatic presence in Venezuela.
Looking Ahead
A U.S. official confirmed that Rodriguez is expected to visit the United States soon, signaling a new phase of engagement between Washington and Caracas. However, Trump has made clear that continued cooperation hinges on Venezuela’s compliance with U.S. policy demands, particularly regarding oil sector reforms.
Conclusion
The appointment of Laura F. Dogu as charge d’affaires marks a significant milestone in U.S.-Venezuela relations following Maduro’s removal. With Rodriguez pledging reforms and dialogue, and Washington re-establishing its diplomatic footprint, the coming months will be critical in shaping Venezuela’s political and economic future under U.S. influence.
