US lifts sanctions on Venezuela’s interim President Rodriguez

The US on Wednesday lifted sanctions on Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, less than three months after the leader Nicolas Maduro was captured in a US military operation.

The decision was announced in the website of the US Treasury Department, which removed Rodriguez from its sanctions list as part of broader efforts to re-engage diplomatically and stabilize the oil-rich country.

Washington had sanctioned Rodriguez in 2018 over her role in consolidating Maduro's rule.

The decision came after the US State Department on Monday announced the resumption of operations at the US Embassy in Caracas, calling it "a new chapter" in diplomatic engagement with Venezuela.

Charga d'affaires Laura F. Dogu arrived in Caracas in January to lead efforts to restore the embassy and prepare for the full return of personnel and eventual resumption of consular services.

The embassy had been closed since 2019 after Washington recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president and rejected Maduro's reelection.

The developments came as Maduro remains in US custody following his abduction in an overnight US military raid in Caracas in early January.

Rodriguez has since reshuffled key officials and taken steps to open Venezuela's oil sector to foreign investment, while US President Donald Trump has praised her cooperation.