The United States Government appointed diplomat John Barrett as chargé d’affaires in Venezuela, replacing Laura Dogu, the official herself confirmed this Wednesday, April 15.
In a statement published on the X account of the United States Embassy in Caracas, Dogu assured that his “temporary assignment in Caracas is coming to an end” and that Barrett, current chargé d’affaires in Guatemala, will arrive “soon” in that country to take up his position.
Dogu said she will return to her previous position as foreign policy advisor to the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“I am deeply grateful to President Trump and Secretary Rubio for entrusting me with the task of leading the implementation of their plan here in Venezuela and representing the United States during this historic moment, as we build a strong relationship between our two countries,” she highlighted.
He explained that the team in Caracas will continue to advance the three-phase plan of the president and the secretary during this new stage of relations between the United States and Venezuela, for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people.
On January 22, John Barrett took over as chargé d’affaires of the US embassy in Guatemala. The diplomat has experience in missions in Latin America, Asia and a previous assignment in the country.
Barrett also has a foreign service record that includes deployments to China and Afghanistan.
Barrett, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served as minister counselor at the U.S. embassy in Panama since May 2023. He was previously counselor for economic affairs at the U.S. embassy in Peru and, previously, consul general at the consulate in Recife, Brazil, where he led diplomatic efforts in eight northeastern states of that country.
What the US had claimed
On Tuesday, April 14, The United States denied that it had replaced its diplomatic chief in Venezuela and assured that Laura Dogu continued as chargé d’affaires in Caracas. after versions that indicated his replacement.
“Ambassador Dogu remains the acting chargé d’affaires of the United States Embassy in Caracas and continues her work to advance the Trump Administration’s three-phase plan for a stable, prosperous and democratic Venezuela,” a State Department spokesperson explained on Tuesday.
— US Embassy in Caracas (@usembassyve) April 15, 2026
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