The United States has removed Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, from its sanctions list, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This decision marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the Venezuelan government.
According to the Treasury Department, Rodríguez was delisted from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) list maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The announcement included a reiteration of her details, which were presented twice in official communications.
Reuters reports that the Trump administration has engaged actively with the interim government led by Rodríguez. This engagement has included sending U.S. officials, such as the Secretaries of Energy and Homeland Security, to Caracas, alongside potential investors. The U.S. has also entered into agreements concerning the sale of Venezuelan oil and has approved changes in the oil and mining sectors to attract foreign capital.
In response to the lifting of sanctions, Rodríguez expressed optimism on social media, stating that this decision represents a step toward normalizing and strengthening relations between the two nations. She remarked, “We believe that this progress will lead to the lifting of existing sanctions against our country and will allow us to establish and guarantee an effective agenda for bilateral cooperation for the benefit of our peoples.”
This development comes after the U.S. Treasury Department eased oil sanctions on Venezuela on March 18, amid efforts by the Trump administration to find ways to increase global oil supplies in light of tensions with Iran.
The U.S. has lifted sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic relations. This action follows previous efforts to engage with the Venezuelan government and may pave the way for further cooperation.