The U.S. government lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Wednesday, according to an entry on the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control website.

Background of the Sanctions

Rodríguez was initially sanctioned during the first term of former President Trump for her alleged role in undermining Venezuelan democracy. She and her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, were added to the Treasury’s sanctions list in September 2018. This action followed Maduro’s re-election, a contest widely criticized as illegitimate due to restrictions placed on opposition parties.

Shift in US Policy

The sanctions relief represents the latest U.S. acknowledgment of Rodríguez as a legitimate authority in Venezuela. This change in stance occurred after the U.S. military captured former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3rd in Caracas, Venezuela. Both Maduro and his wife are currently in New York facing drug trafficking charges and have pleaded not guilty.

Rodríguez’s Response

Delcy Rodríguez expressed optimism regarding U.S.-Venezuela relations following the announcement. “We value President Donald Trump’s decision as a step toward normalizing and strengthening relations between our countries,” she stated on her Telegram channel. She also expressed hope for the complete lifting of sanctions to facilitate bilateral cooperation.

Economic Implications

The lifting of sanctions allows Rodríguez to engage more freely with U.S. companies and investors. This follows a broader trend of easing restrictions on Venezuelan industries. In March, the Treasury Department authorized state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) to directly sell oil to U.S. companies and on the global market.

Legal and Political Context

The U.S. administration has recognized Rodríguez as the “sole Head of State” of Venezuela in an ongoing civil case in U.S. federal court. Venezuela’s ruling-party-loyal high court declared Maduro’s absence “temporary,” allowing Rodríguez to assume office for up to 90 days, potentially extendable to six months with National Assembly approval.