U.S. authorities denied reports of a change in their diplomatic representation in Venezuela and confirmed that Laura Dogu remains as charge d'affaires in charge of the embassy in Caracas.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed that the official continues in the position on an interim basis and is still leading diplomatic efforts in the country.

According to the same source, Dogu remains focused on the implementation of the three-phase plan promoted by President Donald Trump's administration, aimed at fostering a stable, prosperous, and democratic Venezuela.

Laura Dogu's replacement denied

The statement comes after several Guatemalan media outlets reported that the current charge d'affaires in the Central American country, John Barrett, would be in charge of replacing Dogu as head of the U.S. diplomatic representation in Venezuela.

Dogu was appointed Charge d'affaires for Venezuela at the end of January, three weeks after the capture of Nicolas Maduro and two months before Washington announced the reopening of its embassy in Caracas, which had been closed since the severing of diplomatic ties in 2019.

In turn, Barrett was appointed charge d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Guatemala City the following day, January 23.

Situation in Venezuela

Following the overthrow of Maduro by Washington, the Donald Trump administration has stated that it is overseeing the government of Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, so that the Caribbean country can go through three consecutive phases: stabilization, recovery, and democratic transition.

The United States and Venezuela broke off relations in 2019, when the Trump administration, during its first term, recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido, then president of the National Assembly, as the country's interim president.