The United States Treasury Department removed the economic sanctions it maintained against Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly (ANV) and one of the country’s main political leaders. The decision was confirmed this Wednesday (14) through the exclusion of his name from the list of the Foreign Assets Control Office (Ofac), the body responsible for managing US coercive measures.
Rodríguez had been on the sanctioned list since September 2018, under allegations of weakening democracy and human rights violations. The sanctions imposed at the time established the blocking of assets in US territory and the prohibition of companies and citizens under Washington’s jurisdiction from carrying out financial transactions with the leader. Ofac did not disclose the official reasons for removing the parliamentarian’s name from the list.
The measure adds to a series of other flexibilities promoted by the United States government in recent months. On April 1, 2026, Ofac had already lifted individual sanctions against the interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez.
In addition to individual reviews, the US government announced in mid-April the suspension of sanctions imposed seven years ago on the South American nation’s public banking system. The decision authorized financial operations with the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) and three other state institutions, a measure seen as essential to mitigate economic losses in the country.
In the fuel sector, Ofac also issued a license that authorizes commercial transactions with the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and its subsidiaries. The standard allows the sale and export of oil and oil products to other countries, requiring the sending of informative reports ten days after the first operation and every 90 days.
On the other hand, Venezuelan authorities claim that most of the sanctions remain in force, including Executive Order 14373, decreed by the US Treasury Department on January 9, 2026, which prevents the Venezuelan government’s access to the country’s sovereign resources, products of oil trade. The measure determines that all funds from the Venezuelan government and its agencies, such as the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), derived from the sale of natural resources or diluents, are retained in accounts held by Washington, and are transferred to the Venezuelan government after special authorization or license.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
