US Lifts Sanctions on Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez

• •U.S. lifted sanctions on Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez on April 1, 2026.
• •Rodríguez was sanctioned in 2018 for her role in Nicolás Maduro's government.
• •The U.S. has recognized Rodríguez as the legitimate authority in Venezuela post-Maduro's capture.

On April 1, 2026, the U.S. lifted sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's acting president, following her predecessor Nicolás Maduro's capture by U.S. military forces on January 3, 2026. This decision marks a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, allowing Rodríguez to engage more freely with American companies and investors. Rodríguez, who was sanctioned in 2018 for her role in Maduro's government, expressed optimism about future cooperation between the two nations. The U.S. has also recognized her as the legitimate authority in Venezuela, despite Maduro still being legally recognized as president. The sanctions relief is part of a broader strategy to stabilize Venezuela's economy and open its oil sector to foreign investment. The U.S. Treasury previously authorized the state-owned PDVSA to sell oil directly to U.S. companies. The lifting of sanctions comes amid a backdrop of renewed diplomatic engagement, including the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas after seven years.