By Muhammad Mamman
The United States has lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, signalling a major shift in Washington’s approach to Caracas after the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
According to the US Treasury, Rodríguez’s name has been removed from the Specially Designated Nationals list, effectively ending restrictions imposed during her time as a senior official in Maduro’s government. 
The move comes months after a US military operation in January toppled Maduro and brought Rodríguez to power, marking a dramatic turning point in the long-running political crisis in Venezuela. 
Relations between Washington and Caracas have since warmed, with Rodríguez reportedly complying with demands from US President Donald Trump to open Venezuela’s energy sector to American companies. 
Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s deputy and had been sanctioned for her role in his administration, now faces the delicate task of balancing pressure from Washington with expectations from allies at home. 
In recent weeks, she dismissed former defence minister Vladimir Padrino López, while influential figure Diosdado Cabello remains in government and is seen as one of her key supporters. 
The policy shift coincides with the reopening of the US embassy in Caracas after seven years, underscoring a rapid thaw in relations following Maduro’s capture and transfer to New York to face drug-trafficking charges, which he denies. 
Venezuelan authorities say the military operation that led to his arrest left about 100 people dead, highlighting the high human cost of the power transition. 
