The United States removed Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez from its sanctions list on Wednesday, marking another step in the dramatic realignment of US-Venezuela relations following the January capture of Nicolas Maduro.
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control quietly updated its Specially Designated Nationals List to remove Rodriguez, who had been sanctioned since September 2018 during Trump's first presidency. The sanctions had frozen any US-held assets and prohibited American entities from conducting business with her.
President Trump's decision is a significant step in the right direction to normalize and strengthen relations between our countries
Delcy Rodriguez — Al Jazeera
Rodriguez assumed Venezuela's presidency after US special forces captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a January 3 military operation in Caracas. Both now await trial in the United States on drug trafficking and weapons possession charges, a move that legal experts have condemned as violating international law.
The sanctions removal reflects Rodriguez's conciliatory approach toward Washington since taking power. She has opened Venezuela's vast oil reserves to private investment and signed legislation designed to attract foreign capital, reversing years of socialist economic policies under Maduro's rule.
France 24 presents the sanctions removal as part of tightening US-Venezuela relations under Trump. The outlet emphasizes Rodriguez's conciliatory approach and the broader diplomatic reset between the two countries.
Al Jazeera frames the story with emphasis on the controversial nature of Maduro's capture, describing it as an "abduction" and noting legal experts' condemnation. The outlet highlights the illegality concerns while covering the diplomatic developments.
NZZ takes a critical stance, describing Trump's approach as a "missed opportunity" and expressing concern about the US becoming a "senior partner" to what it calls a brutal socialist dictatorship.
NOS provides factual coverage while noting ongoing concerns about democratic freedoms in Venezuela. The outlet emphasizes that despite diplomatic progress, significant fear and economic hardship persist among Venezuelans.
The U.S. on Wednesday removed sanctions against Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the Treasury Department website, less than three months after U.S. forces seized the country's then-President Nicolas Maduro in a raid on the capital.
US lifts sanctions on Venezuela acting president, opening door for assets control | Reuters
Trump has repeatedly claimed de facto control over Venezuela since Maduro's removal, particularly regarding the country's oil resources. The Treasury Department has been gradually lifting the 2019 embargo on Venezuelan petroleum as part of the broader diplomatic reset.
We trust that this progress and determination will ultimately lead to the lifting of the additional active sanctions on our country
Delcy Rodriguez — Al Jazeera
The diplomatic thaw accelerated this week when the US announced Monday it would resume embassy operations in Caracas after a seven-year closure. A Venezuelan delegation led by charge d'affaires Felix Plasencia visited Washington last week to meet with Trump administration officials and assume control of Venezuela's embassy.
Rodriguez remains on the European Union's sanctions list, though EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas indicated in February she would propose removing the Venezuelan leader following the release of political prisoners.
The original 2018 sanctions targeted Rodriguez as part of what the US called a group of government leaders "involved in the destruction of democracy in Venezuela" who were "enriching themselves at the expense of the Venezuelan people." She served as vice president under Maduro until his capture.
While Rodriguez has allowed increased political protests and released some prisoners, questions remain about Venezuela's democratic trajectory. Citizens report persistent fear and economic hardship despite the warming US relationship.
The sanctions removal comes as both governments establish what they describe as a long-term energy partnership, giving American companies unprecedented access to Venezuela's oil sector under the new interim administration.