Patrick Duddy

Patrick Dennis Duddy is an American diplomat, formerly United States Ambassador to Venezuela.[2] He served from August 6, 2007 to September 11, 2008, during the Bush Administration, was expelled by Venezuelan 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.[3]

Patrick D. Duddy
United States Ambassador to Venezuela
In office
October 29, 2007 [1] – July 16, 2010
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Barack Obama
Preceded byWilliam Brownfield
Succeeded byPhil Laidlaw, Chargé d'Affaires a.i.
Personal details
NationalityAmerican

Duddy served for just over a year before being expelled by Chavez, who claimed to have uncovered an American-led plot to overthrow him.[4] The action took place after, and partially as a result of, a dispute between the United States and Bolivian president Evo Morales; Chavez expressed support for Morales.[4] The embassy was run by John Caulfield as Chargé d'Affaires in the interim.[5] In March 2008 Duddy had requested funding from the US government "to influence the information environment within Venezuela".[6][7]

He returned in July 1, 2009 when the Obama Administration restored diplomatic relations with Venezuela.[8] He finished his assignment in July 16, 2010. President Obama nominated Larry Palmer as his replacement. However the Senate did not confirm him and Hugo Chavez refused to accept him as ambassador, leaving the position vacant.[9] Duddy currently serves as a diplomat in residence at Duke University's Center for International Studies. Duddy attended undergraduate at Colby College, graduating in 1972.

References
  1. With interruption from September 2008 - July 2009 due to suspension of diplomatic relations.
  2. "PN306 - Nomination of Patrick Dennis Duddy for Department of State, 110th Congress (2007-2008)". www.congress.gov. 28 June 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  3. Romero, Simon (July 6, 2007). "No Fond Farewells in Venezuela as U.S. Ambassador Leaves Post". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  4. Romero, Simon (September 12, 2008). "Alleging Coup Plot, Chávez Ousts U.S. Envoy". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  5. "John Caulfield". United States Embassy, Venezuela. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  6. "Why Did the US Fund Anti–Hugo Chávez Rock Bands in Venezuela?".
  7. Brouwer, Steve (May 2011). Revolutionary Doctors: How Venezuela and Cuba Are Changing the World's Conception of Health Care. ISBN 9781583672402.
  8. "U.S. ambassador back in Venezuela". UPI. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  9. "Without ambassadors, US-Venezuela tensions grow". AP. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
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