US Removes Sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez

The U.S. government lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Wednesday, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Recognition of Authority

This action signifies a formal recognition of Rodríguez as a legitimate authority within Venezuela. Washington has already acknowledged her position as the country’s head of state in both legal and diplomatic contexts.

Context of the Sanctions Relief

The lifting of sanctions follows the U.S. military’s capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3rd in Caracas, Venezuela. Since then, the U.S. has been engaging with Venezuela’s interim government.

Maduro's Status and Rodríguez's Appointment

Despite the capture, Nicolás Maduro remains legally the president of Venezuela. Immediately following the January 3rd operation, the country’s high court, loyal to the ruling party, declared Maduro’s absence as “temporary.”

This declaration avoided the need for a swift election and maintained the legal protections afforded to the presidential office under international law. The court authorized Rodríguez to assume office for a period of up to 90 days, potentially extendable to six months with the approval of the National Assembly.

The initial 90-day period is set to conclude on Friday.

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