Sanctions Lifted: US Embraces Venezuelan Interim Leader Delcy Rodríguez

Thu Apr 02 2026 18:10:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a surprising turn of events, the US has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic relations following recent political upheaval.

The United States has lifted sanctions on Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who was previously sanctioned for alleged undemocratic practices. This move comes on the heels of significant political changes in Venezuela, including the removal of former leader Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez termed her removal from the sanctions list as a step towards normalizing ties between the US and Venezuela, while US officials emphasize its importance in promoting stability and economic recovery. However, opposition voices in Venezuela demand more pressure for the release of political prisoners.

The United States has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez. The move comes less than three months after US forces seized the country’s previous leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a military raid and took him to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Rodríguez, a close ally of Maduro and former vice-president, was placed on the sanctions list in 2018. She was recently sworn in as interim president by Venezuela’s National Assembly, which is loyal to Maduro, following the US raid.

Rodríguez welcomed her removal from the Specially Designated Nationals list, which blocked her assets in the US and prohibited US nationals from doing business with her. She called it a significant step to normalize and strengthen relations between the countries.

While U.S. officials accentuate the positive impact of lifting sanctions on fostering stability and supporting economic recovery, critics argue that there should be more focus on releasing political prisoners still held in Venezuelan jails. Even though some detainees have been freed, around 500 political prisoners remain incarcerated.

This development follows an ongoing warming of relations, marked by the reopening of US and Venezuelan embassies after years of hostility. There have also been recent high-level U.S. delegations visiting Venezuela to explore increasing access to the country’s vast oil resources.

Despite these advances, opposition leaders stress that democratic elections must be a priority. Critics, including opposition leader María Corina Machado, emphasize that Rodríguez's administration has not seriously engaged in discussions around free elections.