The Trump administration has removed Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's acting president, from the U.S. sanctions list, marking a significant shift in relations after the January raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro. The Treasury Department's move allows Rodríguez to conduct business with U.S. companies and travel to the United States for diplomatic purposes without facing penalties.

The sanctions removal comes as Rodríguez rapidly liberalizes Venezuela's economy and opens the country to U.S. investment. However, she has maintained much of Maduro's repressive government structure while ceding little political control. The administration has sent no signals of supporting opposition leader María Corina Machado for a leadership position or backing elections, despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio's meeting with Machado and statements about the need for free elections.

This decision represents the first reversal of Trump-era sanctions on Venezuelan officials following the 2018 election widely viewed as illegitimate. While Rodríguez gains sanctions relief, her brother Jorge Rodríguez, now president of Venezuela's legislature, remains sanctioned. The State Department has also re-established diplomatic relations and restarted operations at the U.S. embassy in Caracas, as American officials negotiate access to Venezuela's vast oil, natural gas, critical minerals, and gold reserves.