Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, appointed Félix Plasencia as foreign minister on July 13, placing him at the helm of a newly merged ministry combining foreign affairs and foreign trade. Plasencia, who had been leading Venezuela's diplomatic mission in the United States since February, previously served as foreign minister from 2021 to 2022 and as ambassador to both the United Kingdom and China.
Plasencia replaces Yván Gil, who had held the post since 2023 and will move to the science and technology portfolio.
To fill the Washington vacancy left by Plasencia's promotion, Rodríguez named Johann Álvarez Márquez as the new chargé d'affaires in the United States on July 14. The reshuffle signals a consolidation of Venezuela's diplomatic and commercial strategy under a seasoned envoy as the interim government navigates an uncertain political landscape.