US lifts sanctions on Venezuela’s acting President Rodriguez, who praises Trump

The United States has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the Treasury Department. This action recognizes Rodriguez as a legitimate authority following the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas on January 3rd. Maduro and his wife are now in New York facing drug trafficking charges. The sanctions relief allows Rodriguez to collaborate more freely with US companies and investors. Rodriguez praised the decision by former President Donald Trump as a step toward normalizing relations between the two countries, expressing hope for further sanctions relief and bilateral cooperation. The US embassy in Venezuela has also reopened after seven years.

The United States has removed sanctions against Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, as announced on the US Department of the Treasury website on Wednesday. Rodriguez had been sanctioned since 2018 for allegedly undermining democracy and enriching herself at the expense of Venezuelans. The removal of sanctions is viewed as a sign of improving relations between Rodriguez and the US, especially after the abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro. Rodriguez welcomed the decision, calling it a step towards normalizing relations and urging the US to lift further sanctions against Venezuelan entities. Maduro and his wife are currently awaiting trial in the US on drug-trafficking and weapons possession charges.