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The head of US Southern Command traveled to Venezuela to meet with the country’s acting president, just weeks after US forces captured former leader Nicolas Maduro.
Wednesday’s visit, described as a surprise visit, was the first by a US military delegation to Venezuela since the January 3 raid to reclaim Maduro. To Reuters.
“Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Ambassador Laura F. Dogu, Charge d’Affaires in Charge of the Venezuelan Affairs Unit, and U.S. Homeland Defense and Acting Assistant Secretary of War Joseph M. Humier met with Venezuelan interim officials in Caracas,” U.S. Southern Command said in a statement.
“During the meeting, the leaders reiterated the United States’ commitment to a free, secure, and prosperous Venezuela, to the Venezuelan people, to the United States, and to the Western Hemisphere,” it said.
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Commander of US Southern Command, Marine General Francis L. Donovan talks with Marines assigned to monitor U.S. embassy facilities in Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (US Southern Command/Venezuela Affairs Unit)
“The discussion focused on the security environment, steps to ensure the implementation of President Donald Trump’s three phase plan – particularly the stabilization of Venezuela – and the importance of shared security in the Western Hemisphere,” US Central Command also said.
US Embassy in Venezuela Added to a post on It was a “historic day” in an effort to “advance the cause of a Venezuela aligned with the United States.”
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The general in charge of the Venezuelan affairs unit was General Francis L. Donovan, Ambassador Laura F. Dogu and Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Homeland Defense and U.S. Joseph M. Humire pose for a photo in Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (US Southern Command/Venezuela Affairs Unit)
The Venezuelan government said the US delegation met with interim President Delsey Rodriguez, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, with the two sides agreeing to coordinate on drug trafficking, terrorism and migration, Reuters reported. The Associated Press also confirmed that Donovan, who heads U.S. military operations in Latin America, met with Rodriguez.
Acting President of Venezuela, Delsey Rodriguez, waves farewell to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright after their meeting in Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)
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“The meeting confirms that diplomacy should be the mechanism to resolve differences and address issues of bilateral and regional interest,” Venezuelan Communications Minister Miguel Ángel Pérez said on X.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
