U.S. Charge d'Affaires Laura Dogu Reopens Mission in Caracas

U.S. charge d’affaires Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas on Jan. 31 and disembarked at Simón Bolívar International Airport, saying "My team and I are ready to work," the U.S. Embassy said.

The visit follows the Jan. 3 seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and his transfer to New York to face drug trafficking and narcoterrorism conspiracy charges, U.S. officials said; Maduro loyalists dispute the action.

Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Yván Gil said on Telegram that Dogu’s arrival is part of a joint schedule to establish a "roadmap on matters of bilateral interest" and resolve differences through diplomatic dialogue, the ministry said.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez signed a law to open Venezuela’s nationalized oil sector to private firms and capped royalties at 30 percent, records show, a change that also requires some disputes to be resolved outside Venezuelan courts.

A State Department official said Dogu will pursue a phased plan to resume embassy services, possibly from a temporary facility, and U.S. officials confirmed limited sanctions relief for certain oil-sector transactions.