John Caulfield took over the leadership of the US Embassy in Caracas as Chargé d’Affaires following the expulsion of US Ambassador Patrick Duddy in September 2008. Originally from New Jersey, Caulfield graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia with a degree in international relations and Latin American studies.
Earlier in his career he held assignments as country officer for Argentina and later Brazil, and served overseas in Colombia, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Brazil.
Caulfield has held a series of positions dealing with Latin America or consular affairs. He served as American consul general at Manila, Philippines, and consul at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. He has also directed the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs for the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.
From 2002 to 2005 he was Deputy Chief of Mission at American Embassy Lima, Peru, before serving as consul general at the American Embassy in London.