2019 – The United States closes its embassy in Caracas and suspends diplomatic operations after escalating tensions with the Maduro government, relocating staff to Bogotá [7].

Feb 2025 – Former Trump envoy Richard Grenell visits Venezuela, a trip that precedes the release of six detained Americans, illustrating how high‑level contacts can prompt detainee releases [11].

2025 – President Trump issues an executive order directing the Interior Department to remove historical content deemed “disparaging,” leading to the removal of a slavery exhibit at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia [2].

Jan 5, 2026 – Mexican officials dismiss the likelihood of a U.S. invasion of Mexico despite the recent Venezuelan operation, with President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasizing coordination and rejecting any U.S. military help [12].

Jan 6, 2026 – Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior officials brief Congress on the Venezuela raid, fielding questions about next steps; Republicans largely back the action while Democrats demand details, and a war‑powers resolution is slated for a Senate vote this week [13].

Jan 9, 2026 – A U.S. State Department team from the Venezuela Affairs Unit travels to Caracas for the first on‑ground assessment since Maduro’s capture, evaluating security and facilities for a possible phased embassy reopening [7].

Jan 9‑10, 2026 – U.S. and Venezuelan officials discuss restoring diplomatic ties as a small delegation visits Caracas, and Venezuela announces plans to send a delegation to the United States pending a sanctions waiver [11].

Jan 15, 2026 – The Trump administration explores hiring private security contractors, including Grey Bull Rescue Foundation and possibly Erik Prince, to protect Venezuelan oil assets, issuing a DoD Request for Information while avoiding a long‑term troop presence [6].

Jan 16, 2026 – CIA Director John Ratcliffe meets acting President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas, discussing economic cooperation and stressing that Venezuela must not serve as a safe haven for U.S. adversaries, while President Trump declares the United States will “effectively run” Venezuela’s oil sector [5].

Jan 27, 2026 – CIA officials plan a permanent U.S. foothold in Venezuela, proposing a short‑term annex that would precede an official embassy and coordinating with the State Department’s Venezuela Affairs Unit [4].

Jan 27, 2026 – The State Department notifies ten congressional committees of a phased approach to reopen the Caracas embassy, outlining temporary staff operating from an interim facility and the need to revoke the 2015 recognition of Venezuela’s opposition‑controlled parliament [10].

Jan 28, 2026 – In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio says the U.S. will “very quickly” establish a diplomatic presence in Venezuela, initially from Bogotá and later in Caracas, noting a team of about 70 locally employed staff is ready [2].

Jan 28, 2026 – Rubio announces a short‑term financing mechanism that channels proceeds from sanctioned Venezuelan oil sales into a Treasury‑controlled account to fund policing, sanitation and medicine, with monthly budget reviews by the United States [2].

Jan 28, 2026 – Rubio tells lawmakers that the administration will use force again in Venezuela if interim authorities stray from U.S. expectations, stating “we are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail” [8].

Jan 28, 2026 – President Donald Trump threatens Iran with a “massive Armada” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, warning of “far worse” attacks if Tehran does not negotiate a nuclear deal, as U.S. forces conduct multi‑day air exercises in the Middle East [8].

Jan 28, 2026 – Rubio defends the Jan 3 raid on Maduro, calling it a “national‑security win” that removed a major threat, and says no further military action will occur without an imminent danger [9].

Jan 28, 2026 – Rubio confirms that sanctioned Venezuelan oil may be sold under U.S. oversight, with proceeds placed in a Treasury‑controlled account and released only after Washington approves monthly budgets for public services [9].

Jan 28, 2026 – Rubio reports that technical‑level talks on Greenland and Denmark are “in a good place” and will begin “today,” indicating progress on the disputed Greenland claim [2].

Jan 28, 2026 – Rubio says he will meet opposition leader María Corina Machado later that afternoon to discuss Venezuela’s transition, highlighting ongoing engagement with opposition figures [8].

Jan 31, 2026 – Laura F. Dogu lands in Caracas as the new U.S. envoy, posting photos on X; she is tasked with implementing a three‑phased plan that involves private‑sector, public‑sector and civil‑society actors to advance the administration’s roadmap for Venezuela [1].

Feb 2026 (planned) – The State Department plans to expand the temporary‑duty staff in Caracas to cover consular, political, economic, management, security and public‑diplomacy functions as the embassy refurbishment progresses [10].

Future (unspecified) – Venezuela’s acting government intends to send a diplomatic delegation to the United States, pending a U.S. sanctions waiver, to further normalize relations [11].