American flag raised at US embassy in Venezuela for first time since 2019 as ties shift
The morning of March 14, 2019, the American flag was lowered for the final time at U.S. Embassy Caracas. This morning, on March 14, 2026, at the same time, my team and I raised the American flag—exactly seven years after it was lowered.
— Embajada de los EE.UU., Venezuela (@usembassyve) March 14, 2026
A new era for U.S.-Venezuela relations… pic.twitter.com/ivyzHfo0j7
CARACAS, VENEZUELA: For the first time since 2019, the US flag now flies again at its diplomatic mission in Caracas, Venezuela, after being raised there on Saturday, March 14. This moment reflects a major change in ties between the two nations following a US military operation in January that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.
Although the flag has been restored, the embassy structure is still under renovation, and officials have not set a date for when it will resume full operations.
The choice to reopen the embassy came after President Donald Trump spoke in support of the government now led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been talking with Washington to keep communication open.
US flag returns to Caracas embassy after seven years
People in Caracas saw something special when the US flag went up again at the US Embassy on Saturday. It had not been there for seven long years. The embassy’s social post said the flag was put up “exactly seven years after it was taken down.”
“The morning of March 14, 2019, the American flag was lowered for the final time at US Embassy Caracas,” US Charge d’Affaires to Venezuela Laura F Dogu wrote on the social platform X.
US flag returns to Caracas embassy after seven years
“This morning, on March 14, 2026, at the same time, my team and I raised the American flag—exactly seven years after it was lowered.” “A new era for US-Venezuela relations has begun,” she said. “Onward with Venezuela.”
Many locals stopped by to watch and talk about it. One woman, Luz Veronica Lppez from Caracas, said, “It’s a good thing, really, what a joy. Other countries must come back too because that’s what we need; progress, to move forward with good relations with the rest of the world, as it should be.”
As per AP news, another resident, Alessandro Di Benedetto, said he saw happy faces around the embassy. “I found several people here surprised and happy because today they raised the US flag at the Embassy,” he said. “This is positive; this is another step.”
The change happened while Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been trying to keep talks going with the US. There have been several statements from Trump in support of her government.
Why the US flag was taken down in 2019
The US closed its embassy in Venezuela in 2019 as the situation between the two countries became tense. At that time, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the move was because of the “deteriorating situation” in Venezuela. He shared the update on X, as per The Hill.
The break in relations happened after Venezuelan leader Maduro cut diplomatic ties with the US. This came after Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s interim president instead of Maduro.
Years later, things began to change. The US and Venezuela agreed to restore diplomatic relations about two months after US forces captured Maduro. He was later taken to New York to face charges along with his wife. During this time, Rodríguez stepped in as the country’s interim leader.
Trump spoke in support of Rodríguez and said she would “make Venezuela great again.” He also said she was “doing a great job, and working with US Representatives very well.”
