The United States has officially named Laura Dogu to serve as the top diplomatic representative managing affairs related to Venezuela. Dogu, who has twice served as a US ambassador—most recently to Honduras and previously to Nicaragua—has been appointed as charge d’affaires to the Venezuela Affairs Unit, a division of the US embassy located in Bogota, Colombia.
This appointment follows a significant development earlier this month when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was apprehended by US forces in a raid and transported to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking. Dogu’s leadership role is critical during this politically sensitive and transitional period.
According to a senior official from the US State Department, the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration involve coordination with interim authorities in Venezuela to stabilize the country. This is part of a comprehensive three-phase strategy outlined by Secretary Rubio to Congress and the American public. Executing this approach requires a dedicated full-time chargé d’affaires at the Venezuela Affairs Unit situated at the embassy in Bogota, and Dogu is described as well-equipped to manage the responsibilities during this phase of US diplomacy.
Furthermore, the US government has initiated preparatory steps to consider the potential resumption of embassy functions in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. On January 9, US diplomatic and security personnel conducted an assessment mission to evaluate the feasibility of a phased reestablishment of embassy operations.
The US had withdrawn all diplomatic staff from Venezuela in 2019, citing deteriorating conditions amid growing political unrest. The current developments indicate a possible shift in US diplomatic posture towards Venezuela as new administrative and security considerations take shape.