Embassy of Venezuela, Washington, D.C.

Last updated
Embassy of Venezuela, Washington, D.C.
Embassy of Venezuela - Washington, D.C.jpg
Former Embassy of Venezuela in 2022
Embassy of Venezuela, Washington, D.C.
Location Washington, D.C.
Address1099 30th Street, N.W.
Coordinates 38°54′13″N77°3′31″W / 38.90361°N 77.05861°W / 38.90361; -77.05861
Ambassador None

The Embassy of Venezuela in Washington, D.C. was the diplomatic mission of Venezuela to the United States. The embassy was located at 1099 30th Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C. in the Georgetown neighborhood.

Contents

The embassy operated Consulates-General in Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Houston, Miami, and New Orleans. [1]

On January 23, 2019, the Nicolás Maduro-led government of Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with the United States. From 2019 to January 2023, Venezuelan embassies and consulates in the US were administered by representatives of Juan Guaidó, who was recognized by the US as the acting president of Venezuela during the Venezuelan presidential crisis.

In January 2023, the embassy and all Venezuelan consulates in the United States were closed after the ouster of Guaidó. [2]

Venezuelan presidential crisis

On January 24, 2019, Nicolás Maduro ordered the closure of both the embassy and all Venezuelan consulates in the United States. This move came as a response to US recognition of Juan Guaidó as interim president. [3]

On January 29, 2019, Juan Guaidó appointed Carlos Vecchio to serve as Venezuelan ambassador to the United States. [4] This move was recognized by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. [5]

Occupation by Code Pink

On April 10, 2019, members of Code Pink and other left-wing organizations began occupying the embassy at the invitation of the Maduro government. As of May 1, fifty Americans supporting Maduro were living in the building, whose entrance was locked down by its occupants. [6] As a response, hundreds of supporters of Guaidó, mostly Venezuelan nationals, assembled outside the embassy in protest, mocking the mostly American occupants for not speaking Spanish and calling them thieves and trespassers. The standoff resulted in clashes between the groups. According to the embassy occupants, the protesters prevented people from bringing in food. [7] The occupants held signs outside the embassy saying, "Hands Off Venezuela!" and "No to U.S. coup plots", while protesters chanted "Guaidó" and "Hands off my embassy". [6] On May 8, the power company shut off electricity to the embassy, [8] and on May 11, running water was also cut off. [9] On May 13, after staying for over a month in the embassy, authorities served an eviction notice on its occupants, asking them to leave immediately. Gustavo Tarre, Venezuela's representative to the Organization of American States, declared to The Associated Press that at the time there were seven people in the building, three of whom left after the notice was served. [10] On May 16, the four protesters remaining, Kevin Zeese, Margaret Flowers, Adrienne Pine and David Paul, were forcibly removed from the embassy by police. [11] Journalist Max Blumenthal, who has good relations with Nicolás Maduro, was arrested in October 2019 and charged with assaulting a woman during the occupation of the embassy. The charges were later dropped. [12]

During the 2019 Foro de Sao Paulo, Maduro honored Code Pink for their actions. He posed for pictures with the group and rewarded them with gifts, including a book on Simón Bolívar and a replica of Bolivar's sword. [13]

Missing paintings

United States Department of the Treasury in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Italian Carabinieri opened an investigation into missing pieces of European and Latin American artwork that could not be found when Guaidó's representative moved into the embassy in May 2019, believing they were being discreetly plundered by Venezuelan authorities. The paintings, including a landscape of Caracas by Manuel Cabré, the portrait of "Juanita" by Armando Reverón, and a social realism piece by Héctor Poleo  [ es ], were exhibited at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington in 2008. The estimated value of the paintings was $1 million. The last known sighting of the paintings was in a photo taken in the Venezuelan embassy in 2012. [14] [ needs update ]

Consular services

Carlos Vecchio declared that Maduro's administration, and his predecessor Hugo Chávez, had denied consular services for Venezuelans in the United States for more than 10 years. [15] Director of Consultar Affairs, Brian Fincheltub, announced that the embassy would progressively reactivate said services. [16]

On May 28, Vecchio announced the creation of the Unique Consular Registry, which allows Venezuelan citizens in the United States to access to its services network. Gustavo Marcano, Counselor Minister of the embassy, explained that in the first phase of the Consular Registry an official census of Venezuelan residents would be carried out, to determined in which states and cities they are distributed in to inform about their current situation and the consular needs to the embassy. [17] Marcano would later state that 70% of the citizens in the Registry expressed that their main necessity was the passport extension. [16]

Juan Guaidó announced the extension of the validity of expired Venezuelan passports for five years since their expiration date. On June 7, 2019, the United States State Department announced the recognition of this extension for the emission of visas and other consular processes; the department also announced that the United States Border Patrol would also accept these passports. In a press conference, Vecchio explained that Venezuelans would be able to enter the United States with expired passports, request visas or use them as a valid identification document for procedures such as the driver's license. [16]

In 2020, the embassy of Venezuela announced that starting from February 19, Venezuelan residents would be able to request No Objection Letters for permanence requests for studies or work, a process would be carried out by Guaidó's diplomatic mission and the US State Department. The director of Consular Affairs, Brian Fincheltub, announced that the embassy would activate the process and emission of said documents, without costs. [16] The document allows foreigners in the United States to extend their stay period originally authorized in the visa. [15]

Notes

1. ^ As part of the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis, the US recognized Carlos Vecchio as Venezuela's ambassador from 2019 to 2022. The Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro has not had an ambassador in the US since 2019.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States–Venezuela relations</span> Bilateral relations

United States–Venezuela relations have traditionally been characterized by an important trade and investment relationship as well as cooperation in combating the production and transit of illegal drugs.

Popular Will is a political party in Venezuela founded by former Mayor of Chacao, Leopoldo López, who is its national co-ordinator. The party previously held 14 out of 167 seats in the Venezuelan National Assembly, the country's parliament, and is a member of the Democratic Unity Roundtable, the electoral coalition that held a plurality in the National Assembly between 2015 and 2020. The party describes itself as progressive and social-democratic, and was admitted into the Socialist International in December 2014. The party was formed in reaction to complaints of infringements of individual freedom and human rights on the part of the government of the Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro. The party attempts to bring together Venezuelans of various backgrounds who consider Chavismo oppressive and authoritarian. Popular Will self-identifies itself as "a pluralist and democratic movement" that is committed to "progress", which it defines as the realization of "the social, economic, political, and human rights of every Venezuelan." The party says its "fundamental pillars" are progress, democracy, and social action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexico–Venezuela relations</span> Bilateral relations

The nations of Mexico and Venezuela established diplomatic relations in 1831, however, diplomatic relations between both nations have been historically unstable on several occasions. During the Venezuelan presidential crisis, Mexico took a neutral position and has continued to maintain diplomatic relations with the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of the United States, Caracas</span> Diplomatic mission

The Embassy of the United States in Caracas is a United States embassy that represents the United States in Caracas, Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Guaidó</span> Venezuelan politician (1983)

Juan Gerardo Antonio Guaidó Márquez is a Venezuelan opposition politician. He belonged to the social-democratic party Popular Will, and was a federal deputy to the National Assembly representing the state of Vargas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second inauguration of Nicolás Maduro</span>

The second inauguration of Nicolás Maduro as President of Venezuela took place on Thursday, 10 January 2019. The inauguration involved the swearing-in of Nicolás Maduro for his second term, and, especially within the context of Maduro's election, has been controversial and contested by various figures and organizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venezuelan presidential crisis</span> Political crisis in Venezuela from 2019 to 2023

The Venezuelan presidential crisis was a political crisis concerning the leadership and the legitimate president of Venezuela between 2019 and 2023, with the nation and the world divided in support for Nicolás Maduro or Juan Guaidó.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2019 Venezuelan protests</span> Overview of events

The 2019 Venezuelan protests began in the first days of January as a result of the Venezuelan presidential crisis. Protests against the legitimacy of the Nicolás Maduro's presidency began at the time of his second inauguration following a controversial presidential election in 2018. Rallies of support were also held for President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, with some Venezuelans and foreign government's recognizing him as the acting President of Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Venezuelan protests</span> Protests starting in January 2019

The 2019 Venezuelan protests were a collection of protests that were organized, since 11 January, as a coordinated effort to remove Nicolás Maduro from the presidency. Demonstrations began following Maduro's controversial second inauguration, developing into a presidential crisis between Maduro and National Assembly president Juan Guaidó. The protests also included counter-demonstrations organized by those who support Maduro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Vecchio</span> Venezuelan lawyer, politician and activist

Carlos Alfredo Vecchio DeMari is a Venezuelan lawyer, politician and social activist, designated as Ambassador to the US by Juan Guaidó in January 2019 during the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis. His credential letter was accepted by U.S. President Donald Trump on 9 April 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plan País</span> Political and economic plan by Juan Guaidó and the National Assembly of Venezuela

Plan País Venezuela is a plan organized by Juan Guaidó and the National Assembly of Venezuela created to revitalize Venezuela's economy, petroleum industry, and social sectors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 shipping of humanitarian aid to Venezuela</span>

During the presidential crisis between the Venezuelan governments of Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó, a coalition of Colombia, Brazil, the United States and the Netherlands attempted to bring essential goods as a response to shortages in Venezuela. The three main bases used for the operation are: the Colombian city of Cúcuta, the Brazilian state of Roraima,, and the island of Curaçao, of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Responses to the Venezuelan presidential crisis</span> International responses to 2019–2023 political crisis

During the Venezuelan presidential crisis concerning the legitimate President of Venezuela, reactions and responses to the crisis were greatly divided.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venezuelan crisis defection</span> Defections during crisis in Venezuela

Defections from the Bolivarian Revolution occurred under the administrations of Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. The 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis concerning who is the legitimate President of Venezuela has been underway since 10 January 2019, when the opposition-majority National Assembly declared that incumbent Nicolás Maduro's 2018 reelection was invalid and the body declared its president, Juan Guaidó, to be acting president of the nation. Guaidó encouraged military personnel and security officials to withdraw support from Maduro, and offered an amnesty law, approved by the National Assembly, for military personnel and authorities who help to restore constitutional order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign involvement in the Venezuelan presidential crisis</span>

During the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis, AP News reported that "familiar geopolitical sides" had formed, with allies Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Cuba supporting Maduro, and the US, Canada, and most of Western Europe supporting Juan Guaidó as interim president. Amid widespread condemnation, President Maduro was sworn in on 10 January 2019, and the President of the National Assembly, Guaidó, was declared the interim President by that body on 23 January 2019. Intervention by the United States in Venezuela was criticized by allies of Nicolás Maduro and political figures from the left spectrum; Maduro's government stated that the crisis was a "coup d'état led by the United States to topple him and control the country's oil reserves." Guaidó denied the coup allegations, saying peaceful volunteers backed his movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Venezuelan uprising attempt</span> Failed attempt to overthrow Nicolás Maduro

On 30 April 2019, during the Venezuelan presidential crisis, a group of several dozen military personnel and civilians joined Juan Guaidó in his call for the removal of Nicolás Maduro as part of what he labeled "Operation Freedom". Reuters reported an "uneasy peace" by the afternoon of 30 April. During the unrest, opposition leader Leopoldo López was freed from house arrest after being imprisoned for five years. Manuel Cristopher Figuera, the head of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service, denounced the Maduro government and was dismissed from his position before going into hiding. At least 25 military men who opposed Maduro sought asylum at the Brazilian embassy in Caracas.

The 2020 Venezuelan National Assembly Delegated Committee election was to be held in the ordinary session of the National Assembly on 5 January, in which 160 deputies were to elect the legislature's board of directors for the year 2020–21: the president, the first and second vice presidents, the secretary and the deputy secretary. It was the last such election of the IV National Assembly.

The following lists events in the year 2020 in Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Gideon (2020)</span> Conflict in Venezuela

Operation Gideon was an unsuccessful attempt by the Active Coalition of the Venezuelan International Reserve, Venezuelan dissidents, and a private security firm, Jordan Goudreau's Silvercorp USA, to infiltrate Venezuela by sea and remove Nicolás Maduro from power. The plan executed from 3 to 4 May 2020 was for expatriate Venezuelan former military personnel living in Colombia to enter the country by boat at Macuto, take control of an airfield, capture Maduro and other high-level figures in his administration, and expel them from the country.

The following lists events of the year 2023 in Venezuela.

References

  1. ↑ "CONSULATES « Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the U.S". Venezuela-us.org. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
  2. ↑ Venezuelan embassy run by opposition in US closes after Guaido ouster
  3. ↑ "Venezuela to close U.S. embassy, consulates: Maduro". reuters.com. Reuters. 24 January 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Pence welcomes new top Venezuelan diplomat to White House". mcclatchydc.com. McClatchy . Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ Pompeo, Mike (27 January 2019). "Representative of the Government of Venezuela to the United States" (Press release). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  6. 1 2 Lang, Marissa J. (1 May 2019). "50 Americans are living in Venezuela's D.C. embassy. Amid a standoff, Venezuelans say they want it back". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  7. ↑ Delgadillo, Natalie (2 May 2019). "Venezuelan Protesters Clash With American Activists Living In Embassy". DCist. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  8. ↑ Mazzei, Patricia; Montague, Zach (2019-05-09). "Venezuelan Embassy's Power Cut Off in Tense Washington Standoff". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  9. ↑ "Aunque también les quitaron el agua: Activistas pro-Maduro se mantendrán en Embajada de Venezuela en EEUU". Contrapunto (in Spanish). 11 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  10. ↑ "Activists at Venezuela Embassy served with eviction notic". The Associated Press . 14 May 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Police forcibly remove activists living in the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington". Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  12. ↑ Alandete, David (8 June 2020). "Max Blumenthal, un agitador de las protestas en EE.UU. con excelentes relaciones con Maduro". ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  13. ↑ Lang, Marissa J (1 August 2019). "Activists who occupied Venezuela's embassy in Washington honored at ceremony in Caracas". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  14. ↑ Goodman, Joshua (19 September 2019). "AP Exclusive: US helping Venezuela's Guaido track stolen art". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Así puedes solicitar la Carta de no objeción en Estados Unidos". El Pitazo (in Spanish). 2020-02-19. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Embajada de Venezuela podría tramitar permanencia en EEUU". Diario las Américas (in European Spanish). 17 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  17. ↑ "Carlos Vecchio da detalles del Registro Único Consular de venezolanos en EE.UU". EL Tiempo Latino. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.