The United States on Wednesday removed sanctions against Delcy Rodríguez, marking a significant shift in relations between Washington and Caracas. She was taken off the U.S. “Specially Designated Nationals” sanctions list, according to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Rodríguez, who assumed power after U.S. forces ousted predecessor Nicolás Maduro during a January operation in Caracas, welcomed the decision as a step toward “normalization and strengthening” of bilateral ties.
In a post on social media platform X, she said the move could pave the way for broader sanctions relief and foster a cooperative agenda beneficial to both nations.
The sanctions removal follows warming ties, including the recent reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas after a seven‑year closure and expanded engagement between U.S. officials and Venezuela’s interim government. Washington has also taken steps to ease restrictions on Venezuelan oil exports to U.S. companies.
The shift comes as Maduro and his wife face drug‑trafficking charges in a New York court and have pleaded not guilty. Despite Washington’s recognition of Rodríguez’s authority, Maduro remains Venezuela’s legally recognised president under a ruling by the country’s high court.
