US reopens embassy in Venezuela after kidnapping of Maduro

The United States has formally reopened its embassy in Caracas , Venezuela, following the kidnapping of former President Nicolás Maduro in early January. The embassy had been closed since 2019 during the first term of President Donald Trump , marking the end of a seven‑year absence of full diplomatic relations.

The U.S. State Department announced Monday that normal operations have resumed , after extensive repairs to the chancery building, including mould remediation . A small team of U.S. diplomats, previously operating from Bogotá, Colombia, had been working in Caracas for more than a month to prepare the embassy. A flag‑raising ceremony earlier this month symbolized the return of U.S. diplomatic presence.

Officials said the reopening aligns with the administration’s three‑phase plan for Venezuela , allowing closer engagement with the interim government, civil society, and private sector . Consular services such as visas and passport processing remain temporarily in Bogotá.

The move comes amid significant political and economic shifts in Venezuela after Maduro’s kidnapping. Sources say that former President Trump explicitly sought Venezuelan oil resources , with U.S. actions framed to gain control over the country’s energy sector, according to a statement attributed to Trump during early 2026 briefings. The interim government has since initiated reforms to stabilize the economy and encourage foreign investment.

The reopening of the embassy underscores a new chapter in U.S.–Venezuela relations , reflecting both geopolitical changes and Washington’s commitment to direct engagement with Caracas.