US Names Diplomat to Venezuela to Rebuild Ties After Trump Raid

Jan. 22, 2026, 6:13 PM UTC

The US named two-time Ambassador Laura Dogu as its new chargé d’affaires for Venezuela, signaling a rapid push to reestablish a formal diplomatic presence in Caracas.

The appointment takes effect Thursday. Dogu, a two-time ambassador who previously served in Honduras and Nicaragua, will replace John McNamara, according to biographical information on the US embassy in Venezuela website.

The Donald Trump administration is moving quickly to restore diplomatic operations in Venezuela after Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president earlier this month, days after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a US raid.

McNamara, who ...

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