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The US Treasury removed Jorge Rodríguez from its sanctions list on Wednesday, allowing him to access the US financial system. The OFAC did not explain the reasons for the removal.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
The US Department of the Treasury lifted economic sanctions against Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela's National Assembly, on Wednesday. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) removed Rodríguez's name from the list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), according to a notice published by the agency.
The decision means that US individuals and companies can once again conduct financial transactions with Rodríguez without needing a special license. The OFAC notice was described as "strictly technical in nature" and merely notified the removal of his name and various variations under which it appeared on the list. The agency did not detail the reasons for the decision.
Rodríguez, who is the brother of Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez, had been added to the OFAC list in September 2018. The sanctions were originally imposed during the first term of Donald Trump as part of measures against senior officials of the Venezuelan government for their alleged involvement in acts of corruption and repression.
The removal of sanctions comes months after Washington lifted restrictions against Delcy Rodríguez on April 1. This action followed the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in January. Both remain in custody in New York awaiting trial on charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking, with a trial scheduled for June 2027.
Since Maduro's capture, Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the interim presidency by appointment of the Supreme Court of Justice. The Trump administration has insisted that Venezuela must hold elections as part of the transition process, although President Trump has stated on several occasions that it is still "too soon" and that there is no set timeline.
The National Assembly, dominated by the ruling party, has played a key role in the transition. According to reports, the body has been instrumental in opening Venezuela's oil sector to US interests. However, the legitimacy of the current National Assembly is contested by the Venezuelan opposition, which points out that the 2020 elections were boycotted and that the congress elected in 2015 was stripped of its powers.
The removal of Jorge Rodríguez from the sanctions list does not automatically lift other restrictions, such as visa requirements for travel to or through the United States. The AFP requested an explanation from the Treasury Department regarding the withdrawal of sanctions, but no reason was provided in the initial notice.
This development signals a continued easing of US pressure on key figures within the Venezuelan government's inner circle during the ongoing political transition. It facilitates financial interactions between US entities and a high-ranking official in the interim government, potentially impacting diplomatic and economic relations as the country navigates its path toward future elections.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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