US prepares to reopen embassy in Venezuela after Maduro capture

The United States is laying the groundwork to re-establish a formal diplomatic presence in Venezuela, signaling a potential shift in relations after a dramatic military intervention. A senior State Department official confirmed that preliminary preparations are underway to reopen the embassy in Caracas, but emphasized the final decision rests with President Donald Trump.

This development follows the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a U.S. military operation in Caracas over the weekend. The couple was transferred to New York, where they pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges on Monday. Meanwhile, Maduro’s former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president in Venezuela, striking a tone of cautious cooperation with the U.S. government.

A Diplomatic Posture for a New Phase

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas was closed in March 2019 after the Trump administration recognized opposition figure Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president, rejecting Maduro’s 2018 re-election. Since then, diplomatic affairs have been managed from the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. The possible reopening, described by a State Department official as allowing for a resumption of operations “should the President make that decision,” indicates an intent to work through the new political reality in Caracas.

Navigating a Complex Transition

The move toward diplomatic re-engagement occurs amid a highly uncertain and volatile transition. While President Trump has stated the U.S. is "in charge" and would "run" Venezuela temporarily, officials have clarified this does not mean direct governance. Instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. would use pressure, such as an existing "oil quarantine," to influence policy changes. The U.S. has warned that the security situation in Venezuela remains "fluid" and poses severe risks, including crime, civil unrest, and wrongful detention of foreigners.

International Reactions and Regional Tensions

The U.S. action has drawn condemnation from across Latin America and beyond, raising fears of broader regional instability. Leaders in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Cuba have criticized the military operation as a violation of sovereignty. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed concern to President Trump, warning that Venezuela "must not be dragged into instability". Analysts suggest the administration’s focus will remain on managing the complex situation in Venezuela for the immediate future, despite Trump and his aides making menacing comments about other countries in the hemisphere.