Venezuela Seeks End to Sanctions as Ties with US Warm After Maduro’s Ouster
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, has formally requested that the United States lift punitive sanctions and other measures imposed on the South American nation, signaling a dramatic shift in relations following the capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro from power. Rodriguez described the two countries as “friends” and “partners” in a televised address Thursday, advocating for a “new agenda of cooperation.”
The appeal comes after a series of significant developments, including the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by U.S. special forces in January. They are currently in the United States facing criminal charges. Prior to the arrests, former President Trump had ordered a “blockade” of sanctioned oil vessels traveling to and from Venezuela in December, adding to a raft of existing sanctions targeting individuals and state entities.
Since assuming leadership, Rodriguez – formerly Maduro’s vice president – has actively collaborated with the U.S. government, enacting an amnesty law intended to facilitate reconciliation and encourage the return of exiles. She has already welcomed key U.S. officials to Caracas, including the new chief of mission, the head of the CIA, and the commander of the U.S. military responsible for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The United States has begun to reciprocate, easing a seven-year-old oil embargo as part of a broader effort to increase oil production in Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven crude reserves. Licenses have been issued allowing select multinational corporations to operate within the country under specific conditions.
During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Trump highlighted the burgeoning energy partnership, stating that the U.S. had already received over 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela, calling the nation a “new friend and partner.”
Under pressure from Washington, Rodriguez’s administration has also initiated a major overhaul of Venezuela’s hydrocarbon laws, opening the sector to private and foreign investment. This move is expected to attract significant capital and expertise, potentially revitalizing the country’s struggling oil industry.
The shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations marks a significant turning point for a country that has been mired in political and economic turmoil for years. The easing of sanctions and increased cooperation could offer a pathway towards stability and recovery for Venezuela, while also providing the U.S. with a new energy source.
(France 24 with AFP)
