The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), announced the removal of sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Rodríguez, a longtime figure in Venezuela’s socialist leadership, had been sanctioned since 2018 during the first administration of Donald Trump. At the time, the sanctions targeted multiple senior officials, including her brother Jorge Rodríguez, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, and Cilia Flores, the wife of former leader Nicolás Maduro. These measures were part of broader U.S. efforts to pressure the Venezuelan government over alleged human rights abuses and political repression.
The recent decision to lift sanctions comes amid a dramatic political shift following the reported arrest of Maduro earlier this year. Rodríguez, who had served as vice president and oil minister, assumed a leading role in the country’s government and has since engaged in direct cooperation with U.S. officials.
In public statements, Rodríguez welcomed the move, calling it a step toward normalizing relations and encouraging economic recovery. She emphasized the potential for increased investment and bilateral cooperation, particularly in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil and energy sectors.
In recent months, Rodríguez has held meetings with senior U.S. officials, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and military leadership from U.S. Southern Command. She has also reportedly held direct conversations with President Trump, signaling a notable thaw in relations between the two nations.
The policy shift follows the formal restoration of diplomatic ties between the United States and Venezuela, ending a rupture that began in 2019 when Maduro’s government severed relations. A key milestone in this process was the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Caracas, now led by Ambassador Laura Dogu.
Officials in Washington have framed the decision as part of a broader strategy to stabilize Venezuela and support its economic recovery. According to administration representatives, the move reflects progress in cooperation between the two countries and aligns with a phased plan focused on stabilization, recovery, and eventual political transition.
Marco Rubio commented that while the progress has been notable in a short period, the long-term goal remains the establishment of free and fair elections. He подчеркнул that the transition process will require patience but should not lose momentum.
The lifting of sanctions on Rodríguez signals a significant تحول in U.S.-Venezuela relations, suggesting a shift from isolation toward conditional engagement as both countries navigate a complex political and economic transition.
