Patrick Duddy
Encyclopedia
Patrick Duddy is the United States Ambassador to Venezuela
. He served from August 6, 2007 to September 11, 2008, during the Bush Administration
, was expelled by Venezeulan President Hugo Chavez
, and eight months later was returned as Ambassador by the Obama Administration. He replaced William Brownfield
, who also was the subject of repeated threats of expulsion from Chavez before leaving to become ambassador to Colombia
.
Duddy served for just over a year before being expelled by Chavez, who claimed to have uncovered an American-led plot to overthrow him. The action took place after, and partially as a result of, a dispute between the United States and Bolivia
n president Evo Morales
; Chavez expressed support for Morales. The embassy was run by John Caulfield
as Chargé d'Affaires
in the interim. Duddy returned in July 2009 when the Obama Administration restored diplomatic relations with Venezuela. He finished his assignment in July 2010. President Obama has nominated Larry Palmer as his replacement. However, as of January 2011, the U.S. Senate still has not confirmed Palmer and Hugo Chavez has also refused to accept him as ambassador, leaving the position vacant.
United States Ambassador to Venezuela
The following is a list of United States ambassadors, or other chiefs of mission, to Venezuela. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-Ambassadors:...
. He served from August 6, 2007 to September 11, 2008, during the Bush Administration
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, was expelled by Venezeulan President Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
, and eight months later was returned as Ambassador by the Obama Administration. He replaced William Brownfield
William Brownfield
William R. Brownfield is the current Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs as of January 10, 2011. . He has previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia....
, who also was the subject of repeated threats of expulsion from Chavez before leaving to become ambassador to Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
Duddy served for just over a year before being expelled by Chavez, who claimed to have uncovered an American-led plot to overthrow him. The action took place after, and partially as a result of, a dispute between the United States and Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n president Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
; Chavez expressed support for Morales. The embassy was run by John Caulfield
John Caulfield
John J. Caulfield was an Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond in the Victorian Football League and Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football Association....
as Chargé d'Affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
in the interim. Duddy returned in July 2009 when the Obama Administration restored diplomatic relations with Venezuela. He finished his assignment in July 2010. President Obama has nominated Larry Palmer as his replacement. However, as of January 2011, the U.S. Senate still has not confirmed Palmer and Hugo Chavez has also refused to accept him as ambassador, leaving the position vacant.