Washington: America’s top diplomat Laura Dogu reached Venezuela’s capital Caracas on Saturday, with which the process of restoring formal diplomatic presence between the two countries has started after almost seven years. This step has been taken almost a month after the military action, after which the then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was ousted from power. After reaching Caracas, Dogu wrote on the official ‘X’ account of the US Embassy in Venezuela, ‘I have reached Venezuela. My team and I are ready to start work. Pictures of him getting off the plane at Myketia Airport were also shared along with the post.

When did tension arise between America and Venezuela?

America and Venezuela broke diplomatic relations in February 2019. At that time, President Donald Trump had recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the interim President of Venezuela, in response to which the Maduro government ordered American diplomats to leave the country. After this, both the countries closed each other’s embassies. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil welcomed Dogu’s arrival, saying the visit was part of a joint understanding to resolve existing differences through diplomatic dialogue. He said that both the countries will work to advance relations on the basis of mutual respect and international law.

Venezuela releases all US diplomats

US officials have confirmed that Venezuela has recently released all US citizens detained in the country. At the same time, America has made it clear that it will continue to demand the release of all political prisoners. Laura Dogu has previously been the US Ambassador to Honduras and Nicaragua and is currently the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Army. His arrival in Caracas is being seen as a major change and the beginning of a new chapter in US-Venezuela relations.