“The U.S. on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, according to an Office of Foreign Assets Control entry on the Treasury Department website.”

“The newly announced sanctions relief is the latest U.S. recognition of Ms. Rodríguez as a legitimate authority in Venezuela ever since the U.S. military captured her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife on Jan. 3 in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.”

“The pair have since been taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges and both have pleaded not guilty.”

“The move allows Rodríguez to more freely work with U.S. companies and investors.”

“Ms. Rodríguez and her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, were hit with U.S. sanctions during Mr. Trump’s first term for their role in allegedly undermining Venezuelan democracy.”

“The siblings — along with other members of Mr. Maduro’s inner circle — were added to the Treasury’s list in September 2018, months after Mr. Maduro won re-election in a contest widely considered a sham because opposition politicians and parties were banned from participating.”

“Maduro has given Delcy Eloina Rodríguez Gomez and Jorge Jesus Rodríguez Gomez senior positions within the Venezuelan government to help him maintain power and solidify his authoritarian rule,”

“The current Trump administration, however, chose to work with Delcy Rodríguez, instead of Venezuela's political opposition, after Mr. Maduro's ouster.”

“The U.S. has lifted sanctions on major Venezuelan industries. In March, Treasury issued a broad authorization allowing the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., or PDVSA, to directly sell Venezuelan oil to U.S. companies and on global markets, a massive shift after Washington for years had largely blocked dealings with Venezuela’s government and its oil sector.”

“Meanwhile, Mr. Maduro legally is still Venezuela’s President.”