The American Flag Raised Over the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela for the First Time in Seven Years 0 10

"A new era has begun. We are still together with Venezuela," wrote U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Laura Dogu on the platform 'X', posting a photo of the American flag being raised at the embassy.

En la mañana del 14 de marzo de 2019, la bandera estadounidense fue arriada por última vez en la Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Caracas. Esta mañana, 14 de marzo de 2026, a la misma hora, mi equipo y yo izamos la bandera de los Estados Unidos—exactamente siete años después de… pic.twitter.com/kTrwnnECdb

— Embajada de los EE.UU., Venezuela (@usembassyve) March 14, 2026

Dogu noted that she and her team raised the flag "exactly seven years after it was lowered" on March 14, 2019 — two months after Caracas severed diplomatic relations due to Washington's refusal to recognize Maduro's re-election in 2018, which was criticized as illegal.

Earlier this month, the U.S. and Venezuela restored diplomatic relations amid a sharp warming of ties following a raid by U.S. special forces in January, which resulted in about 100 deaths and after which Maduro and his wife were taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump claims that Maduro has effectively governed Venezuela and controls the country's vast natural resources since his ousting.

Trump and interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president under Maduro, signed agreements in the energy and mining sectors, paving the way for private investments and U.S. access to the world's largest oil reserves.

On Friday, Rodríguez urged Trump to fully lift the sanctions imposed against Venezuela.

Since January, the U.S. has eased a seven-year oil embargo against Venezuela and issued licenses allowing several international companies to operate in the country under certain conditions.