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The Minister of Foreign Relations of Venezuela, Yván Gil, received U.S. diplomat Laura Dogu this Saturday, as part of the process to normalize bilateral relations following Nicolás Maduro's exit from power at the beginning of January.
"We have received in Caracas the American diplomat Laura Dogu, envoy from the United States, as part of the working agenda between the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the United States of America, aimed at establishing a roadmap on matters of bilateral interest and resolving differences through diplomatic dialogue," Gil stated in a message posted on his official X account.
The arrival of Dogu represents the most significant step in the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between both countries, interrupted since March 2019, when Maduro's administration severed ties with Washington following the recognition of Juan Guaidó as interim president.
The reestablishment of diplomatic channels comes after the United States officially reopened its embassy in Caracas on January 15, 2026, following seven years of closure.
The decision was made by President Donald Trump as part of the transition plan overseen by Washington following the downfall of Nicolás Maduro, who was apprehended by U.S. forces on January 3.
Since then, the interim administration led by Delcy Rodríguez has maintained a cooperative approach with the United States, focused on institutional stabilization, the gradual lifting of sanctions, and the economic reconstruction of the country.
Diplomatic sources indicated that the presence of Laura Dogu, a career diplomat with experience in Nicaragua and Mexico, aims to consolidate the bilateral working structure in the areas of security, energy, and human rights.
Her arrival is also interpreted as a message of support for the transition process promoted by Washington and partially accepted by sectors of Chavismo.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had announced in mid-January that "the new phase with Venezuela will be guided by cooperation, mutual respect, and a commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people."
With this visit, Caracas and Washington formally begin a phase of diplomatic dialogue following more than a decade of tensions.
Analysts agree that the restoration of relations between both countries presents a historic opportunity for the return of democracy and the full reintegration of Venezuela into the inter-American system.
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