The United States appointed the seasoned diplomat Laura F. Dogu as Head of Mission for Venezuela. Photo: Web / U.S. Embassy in Venezuela.
Guacamaya, January 22, 2026. In a move that signals a potential shift in bilateral relations, the United States government has appointed the seasoned diplomat Laura F. Dogu as Head of Mission for Venezuela, as part of efforts to reestablish the official presence of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas after years of tension and the absence of formal representation. Dogu, whose career includes serving as ambassador to El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras, is expected to lead the reopening of diplomatic channels with the Venezuelan government and to consolidate an exploratory process
The U.S. government announced the designation of diplomat Laura Farnsworth Dogu as Head of Mission to Venezuela, a strategic decision linked to the advancement of bilateral contacts between Washington and Caracas after years of interrupted relations.
Dogu, a Texas-born career diplomat with extensive experience in the U.S. Foreign Service, served as U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, Nicaragua, and most recently Honduras until April 2025. Throughout her career, she has also held assignments in U.S. missions in Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico, and has occupied key positions in Washington, including as deputy director of the FBI unit responsible for the recovery of hostages abroad and as an international relations adviser to the U.S. Army General Staff.
The move comes amid a broader diplomatic context, following announcements by Caracas and Washington of the launch of an “exploratory diplomatic process” aimed at restoring missions in their respective capitals, including an assessment of reopening the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, which has been closed since 2019.
This step takes place against a backdrop of recent political developments that have reshaped relations between the two governments and is widely interpreted as a gesture toward the normalization of formal ties—both political and consular—after years of tension and estrangement.
Dogu’s appointment has drawn close attention from political and diplomatic actors across the region. Her profile as a career official and her experience in countries with complex political and diplomatic dynamics position her as a key figure in implementing the new U.S. strategy toward Venezuela.
In Caracas, the announcement adds to the ongoing exploratory talks between officials from both countries, while in Washington diplomatic teams have been dispatched to assess conditions for the gradual resumption of embassy operations.
U.S. representation in Venezuela has been formally suspended since 2019 following the breakdown of relations between the two governments. Since then, consular and diplomatic affairs related to Venezuela have been handled from the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
With Dogu’s arrival, the United States seeks to consolidate a direct diplomatic presence that would not only address bilateral issues but also respond to regional challenges and promote channels of political, economic, and social dialogue between the two nations.
