Venezuela Seeks Sanctions Relief as Relations with U.S. Thaw After Maduro’s Capture

Caracas – Venezuela’s acting leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has formally requested that the United States lift the blockade and sanctions imposed on the South American nation, less than two months after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S.-led military operation. This appeal signals a significant shift in relations between Caracas and Washington, which had been strained since 2019.

A New Era in U.S.-Venezuela Relations

Rodríguez, who assumed power in January, has overseen a marked improvement in ties with the U.S. This has included high-level meetings with key American officials, including the Director of the CIA, the head of the U.S. Military command for Latin America, and the U.S. Minister of Energy. These meetings underscore the growing cooperation between the two countries.

Call for Economic Relief

“Let the blockade and sanctions against Venezuela stop,” Rodríguez stated in a televised address. The U.S. Imposed an embargo on Venezuelan oil in 2019, significantly impacting the country’s economy. While the U.S. Treasury has recently issued licenses allowing some multinational corporations to operate under specific conditions, a full lifting of sanctions remains a key demand from Caracas.

U.S. Involvement and Oil Reserves

Following Maduro’s capture, the U.S. Declared its temporary oversight of Venezuela, which possesses the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves. President Donald Trump highlighted the benefits of this developing partnership, stating that the U.S. Has already received over 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela, referring to the nation as a “new friend and partner.” AP News

Cooperation and Reforms

Rodríguez emphasized a commitment to cooperation with the U.S., describing a “new program of cooperation.” Under pressure from the U.S., the Venezuelan government has initiated reforms in the oil sector to encourage private sector investment and enacted an amnesty law aimed at releasing political prisoners. Yet, the release of prisoners is progressing slowly, with the NGO Foro Penal estimating that over 560 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Venezuela.

Trump’s Perspective on Venezuela

President Trump initially blamed Nicolás Maduro for the influx of Venezuelan migrants into the U.S., citing the country’s economic crisis and repression as driving factors. BBC News He also accused Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking, specifically fentanyl and cocaine, and designated Venezuelan criminal groups, Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). BBC News

In February 2026, Trump’s administration captured Maduro in a surprise raid. NBC News