The United States has officially lifted sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez, the leader of Venezuela, recognizing her leadership in March and engaging in collaboration with her government in the energy and investment sectors.
This decision, reported by Reuters, follows Rodríguez’s previous role as Vice President and her association with former President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces during a raid in Caracas in January 2026. The U.S. Treasury Department removed Rodríguez from its sanctions list on April 1.
Under the Trump administration, U.S. officials, including the Secretaries of Energy and Homeland Security, visited Caracas with potential investors. The two nations reached an agreement for the sale of Venezuelan oil, with Washington approving changes in the oil and mining sectors to attract foreign capital and granting specific licenses to bypass existing sanctions.
In March, the U.S. formally acknowledged Rodríguez as Venezuela’s leader, paving the way for the reopening of embassies and consulates in the U.S. and restoring control over Venezuelan companies abroad.
Rodríguez welcomed the lifting of sanctions, stating,
“This is a step towards normalizing and strengthening relations between our countries,”
on the social media platform X. She expressed hope that this would lead to the removal of sanctions on Venezuela as a whole and foster bilateral cooperation.
The announcement of the sanctions relief coincided with reports that Rodríguez’s administration is preparing to take control of the boards of directors of American subsidiaries of the state oil company PDVSA, including Citgo Petroleum. Since 2019, Citgo has been managed by boards appointed by the opposition parliament, which is no longer operational.
Despite the sanctions relief for Rodríguez, many high-ranking officials from Maduro’s former government remain under U.S. sanctions. Notably, the U.S. has charged Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and former Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino with drug trafficking and other crimes, both of whom deny the allegations.
On January 3, U.S. forces conducted strikes in Caracas, prompting the Venezuelan government to declare a state of emergency and mobilize its armed forces. The government announced plans to appeal to the United Nations and other organizations to condemn and hold the U.S. accountable.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that the U.S. targeted several military and other facilities in Venezuela, including the country’s parliament.
Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado urged Venezuelans to “take power into their own hands” and be prepared to act based on official communications.
Subsequently, Trump announced the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were transported to the U.S. to face charges. Maduro is accused of drug trafficking conspiracy, cocaine smuggling, and illegal possession of weapons and explosives. The couple was placed in a federal detention center in Brooklyn, New York.
Both denied the charges in court, with Maduro asserting that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela and is a prisoner of war. He did not request his release, and a judge scheduled the next hearing for March 17, 2026.
Rodríguez addressed the nation, asserting that a “national government” is in operation, while Maduro remains the “only president of Venezuela.” However, she later expressed willingness to cooperate with the U.S. Trump confirmed that Rodríguez is collaborating with U.S. officials but warned that if she ceases to do so, the U.S. may initiate a second military operation in the country.
Previously, Trump threatened that Rodríguez would “pay a very high price — perhaps higher than Maduro” if she did not comply with Washington’s demands. On January 5, Rodríguez indicated her readiness to cooperate with the U.S. and called for dialogue instead of confrontation.
On January 10, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that some sanctions might be lifted to facilitate oil sales from Venezuela.
The U.S. has lifted sanctions on Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez, recognizing her leadership and fostering diplomatic relations. This move coincides with preparations for her administration to regain control over U.S. subsidiaries of Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA.
Source: Reuters