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US lifts sanctions on Venezuela's interim president
The United States has removed Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's interim president, from its sanctions list, signaling a shift in policy less than three months after the arrest of former leader Nicolás Maduro.
Background of the sanctions
Rodríguez, a longtime ally of Maduro and former vice president, was placed on the US Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List in 2018. Washington accused her of eroding democratic institutions in Venezuela. Those on the list face frozen assets in the US and restrictions on business dealings with American entities.
Rodríguez's response and US rationale
In a post on X, Rodríguez called the decision "a significant step toward normalizing and strengthening relations" between the two nations. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly framed the move as progress in promoting stability, economic recovery, and political reconciliation in Venezuela.
"As President Trump has said, Delcy Rodríguez is doing a great job and is working with the United States very well,"
Anna Kelly, White House spokeswoman
Opposition criticism and political prisoners
Opposition activists in Caracas condemned the decision, arguing the US should pressure Rodríguez to release political prisoners. While an amnesty law has freed hundreds, prisoners' rights group Foro Penal reports nearly 500 remain detained. The release of political prisoners was a key demand from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following Maduro's removal.
Warming ties and diplomatic moves
The sanctions lift follows other signs of thawing relations, including the reopening of the US embassy in Caracas this week-the first time in seven years. Venezuela has also sent a diplomatic team to Washington to re-establish its embassy.
Since Maduro's arrest, high-level US delegations have visited Venezuela to discuss expanding access to the country's oil and mineral resources. Critics, however, note the lack of progress on democratic elections.
Opposition leader's perspective
Exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in December, met with Rubio on Tuesday. Despite being sidelined by the Trump administration, Machado called the meeting "excellent" and praised Rubio's commitment to democracy and Venezuelan welfare.
"Ultimately, there will have to be a transition phase. There will have to be free and fair elections in Venezuela, and that point has to come,"
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
Rubio told Fox News the US is in the "recovery" phase of a three-prong plan but did not specify a timeline for elections.
