Carlos Vecchio

Carlos Vecchio is a Venezuelan lawyer, politician and social activist, designated as Ambassador to the United States by Juan Guaidó in January 2019 during the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis.

From exile, Vecchio became a key international advocate for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, focusing on exposing the country’s humanitarian crisis and the violation of fundamental rights. He has been instrumental in rallying international support for the Venezuelan people’s struggle against Maduro’s regime and in gaining recognition of the humanitarian crisis.

Vecchio, born in 1969 in Caripe, Venezuela, has a distinguished academic background. He holds a postgraduate degree in Tax Law from the Central University of Venezuela, a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, and a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University. After a successful career as a tax lawyer and manager for ExxonMobil, he continued his education at Yale University’s Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellow Program in 2013.

Throughout his diplomatic tenure, Vecchio has spearheaded multiple initiatives representing Venezuela’s interests in the U.S. political landscape. He led the process for recognizing the Interim Government of Venezuela before the Organization of American States and developed relationships with various U.S. institutions, including think tanks and universities. He also encouraged bipartisan support for Venezuelan freedom, leading to the unanimous approval of the first U.S. law in favor of Venezuela.

Vecchio played a crucial role in shaping U.S. sanctions against Maduro’s regime and persuading the U.S. to become the main donor of humanitarian aid to Venezuela. He led the legal strategy for taking control of CITGO, Venezuela’s primary asset in the U.S., and managed the Venezuelan migration crisis within the U.S, achieving Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure for Venezuelan migrants.

Furthermore, Vecchio successfully maintained U.S. support for the interim government through the transition from the Trump to Biden administration. He also arranged high-profile meetings, including between President Guaidó and Presidents Trump and Biden, effectively turning the Venezuelan cause into a bipartisan issue.Vecchio’s efforts reflect his dedication to restoring democracy in Venezuela and his conviction that unity is necessary to end dictatorship. Through his advocacy work and his role as Ambassador, he has emerged as a prominent figure in the struggle for political and social rights in Venezuela.