US Eases Sanctions on Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez Amidst Diplomatic Talks

The United States Department of the Treasury has lifted sanctions on Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of the country’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez. This decision by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) coincides with significant US-Venezuela energy pacts and ongoing discussions with the Venezuelan government. The delisting was officially posted on the federal agency’s website on Wednesday, removing Jorge Rodriguez from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) blacklist.

Jorge Rodriguez has presided over Venezuela's National Assembly since 2021 and was reappointed in January, following the abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro by the US government. He previously held the role of vice president under the late President Hugo Chavez, among other government positions. Both Jorge and Delcy Rodriguez were initially sanctioned during the Trump administration due to their roles under Maduro, who faces federal charges including torture.

A source familiar with the matter indicated to Al Jazeera that the lifting of sanctions on Jorge Rodriguez is a component of Washington's broader diplomatic engagement with Venezuela's interim government and aligns with a plan for Venezuela's stabilization and political transition. During a press briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the next round of negotiations concerning Venezuela's future was slated to commence on Wednesday and encouraged all Venezuelan opposition factions to participate in US-backed political talks.

Earlier this year, the US Treasury had already dropped sanctions against Delcy Rodriguez and subsequently lifted restrictions on Venezuela’s central bank and its state-owned national airline, signaling a shift in US strategy from economic pressure to negotiation. Delcy Rodriguez has reportedly complied with US demands for Caracas to open its energy sector to American companies. While she has pledged to hold elections, no firm date has been established, though opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has called for them by July.

Since his sister assumed power, Jorge Rodriguez has facilitated several key reforms through the legislature, including legislation to encourage foreign oil companies, similar measures for the mining sector, and efforts to attract private investment for the nation's power grid. Following Maduro's removal, Caracas and Washington have reached an agreement granting the US access to 17 Venezuelan oil fields, with international energy firms also committing to expanding their operations in the country. In August, a plan was announced to secure direct US access to a substantial portion of Venezuela's oil reserves to replenish the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve.