US Lifts Sanctions Against Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez

The United States of America has made a pivotal decision to lift sanctions against Delcy Rodriguez, who is presently acting as the president of Venezuela. This decision marks an important step in the context of her government's preparations to assume control over Venezuela's foreign assets and enhance cooperation with Washington. The announcement was made on Wednesday, April 1, as reported by Reuters.

According to the report, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is actively engaging with Rodriguez's interim government. High-ranking U.S. officials, along with potential investors, have already visited Venezuela, where agreements have been reached regarding the sale of Venezuelan oil. Additionally, reforms in the oil and mining sectors are being supported to attract foreign capital.

Reuters also reminded that in March, Washington officially recognized Delcy Rodriguez as the head of state. This recognition allows her government to restore the operation of diplomatic missions in the U.S. and regain control over Venezuelan companies located abroad. Delcy Rodriguez commented on this decision, calling it a 'step towards normalization and strengthening relations' between Venezuela and the United States. She expressed hope that over time, other sanctions would also be lifted, enabling the development of full-fledged bilateral cooperation.

The lifting of sanctions comes as Rodriguez's administration prepares to establish control over the boards of directors of American subsidiaries of the state oil company PDVSA, particularly Citgo, which is one of Venezuela's key foreign assets. The agency noted that Citgo has been managed by entities linked to the opposition since 2019, and now Rodriguez's government aims to take over this control.

At the same time, it is worth noting that many former high-ranking officials of Nicolás Maduro's government remain under sanctions or are accused of crimes, including those related to drug trafficking. Although Delcy Rodriguez herself has not been officially charged, media reports indicate that the U.S. is simultaneously preparing legal pressure points against her to strengthen its position in relations with Venezuela.

It is important to recall that on the night of January 3, the U.S. conducted a military operation in Venezuela, during which American special forces captured dictator Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores, and removed them from the country. On January 5, Maduro and Flores appeared in a New York court, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. Maduro is accused by a U.S. federal court of several serious criminal charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism. These charges were first brought in absentia back in March 2020.

On January 5, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez officially became the acting president of Venezuela. On February 13, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that relations between the U.S. and Venezuela are 'very good' and even announced his planned visit to Caracas. On March 18, it was reported that the U.S. partially eased sanctions against Venezuela, allowing American companies to work with its state oil company to stabilize the oil market amid the war with Iran. However, restrictions remain in place: financial transactions will be monitored by the U.S., and agreements with certain countries and debt transactions are prohibited.