US Lifts Sanctions on Venezuela’s Interim President

The US Treasury Department has removed sanctions on Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, marking a significant shift in Washington’s policy toward Caracas.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Treasury confirmed that Rodríguez has been removed from the sanctions list maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president under Nicolás Maduro, assumed the presidency on an interim basis in January following a US military operation that resulted in Maduro’s arrest and transfer to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, which he had repeatedly denied.

Since taking office, Rodríguez’s government has engaged in discussions with US officials, including talks related to Venezuela’s energy sector. Washington has sought to influence Venezuelan oil sales in exchange for easing sanctions.

Her administration has also taken steps such as releasing detainees held during past anti-government protests.

Rodríguez had been under US sanctions since 2018 over allegations of corruption and human rights violations.