The Treasury Department website announced the removal of sanctions against Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez by the US on Wednesday. This action occurred less than three months after US forces captured Venezuela’s then-President Nicolas Maduro in a raid on the capital city.
Under the Trump administration, close interactions took place with the interim government led by Rodriguez, who is a former Vice President and ally of Maduro. US energy and interior secretaries visited Caracas to engage with potential investors, culminating in an agreement for the US to sell Venezuelan oil. The administration has commended reforms in the oil and mining sectors aimed at attracting foreign investment, as well as granted sanctions waivers.
In March, Washington officially acknowledged Rodriguez as Venezuela’s leader, allowing for the reopening of embassies and consulates in the US by her government and the restoration of control over Venezuela-owned companies abroad.
Rodriguez expressed appreciation for the decision, stating that it signifies a positive step towards normalizing and enhancing relations between the two countries. She voiced optimism that this development would lead to the removal of existing sanctions, facilitating effective bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
Reuters reported earlier on the same day that preparations were underway for Rodriguez’s administration to assume control of the boards of PDVSA’s US subsidiaries, including Citgo Petroleum. Citgo, a significant foreign asset of Venezuela, has been managed by overseeing boards appointed by a congress led by the opposition since 2019.
Speculation has circulated regarding Rodriguez’s potential visit to the US to meet with President Trump, as she has engaged with high-level delegations from various countries but has not yet met a foreign head of state in her current capacity.
While many senior officials from Maduro’s previous government have faced sanctions and legal charges, Rodriguez and her brother Jorge, who leads the National Assembly, have not been indicted in the US. However, reports suggest that the Trump administration has been discreetly building a legal case against Rodriguez to enhance its negotiating position with Caracas.