The United States is moving swiftly to reestablish a diplomatic presence in Venezuela, ending a years-long freeze in formal relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the U.S. Senate that plans are underway to reopen the American embassy in Caracas, with officials already on the ground assessing conditions.
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said the reopening would happen âvery quicklyâ and would allow U.S. diplomats to engage not only with authorities in Venezuela but also with civil society groups and opposition figures. The embassy was closed in 2019 when Washington severed diplomatic ties with the government in Caracas.
The development signals a notable shift in U.S. policy. The Trump administration, according to Rubio, has been in talks with Delcy RodrĂguez, whom U.S. officials describe as an interim authority following the capture of Venezuelaâs longtime leader, NicolĂĄs Maduro. Restoring an embassy would require the U.S. to formally recognise a governing authority capable of receiving diplomats, marking a break from years of non-engagement.
Rubio said the current Venezuelan leadership has shown cooperation during discussions, though negotiations have not been without challenges. He stressed that the U.S. is not planning military action in Venezuela, while noting that all options remain open to protect American interests. For now, the focus, he said, is on diplomacy rather than force.