Trump Administration Formally Lifts OFAC Sanctions on Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez After U.S. Capture of Maduro
The Trump administration formally lifted OFAC sanctions on Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, on April 1, 2026, according to an OFAC entry. The relief is being read as a U.S. signal of recognition after U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas on Jan. 3 and transported them to New York on drug‑trafficking charges (both have pleaded not guilty); Venezuela’s high court declared Maduro’s absence temporary and installed Rodríguez as acting president for up to 90 days — ending Friday — extendable to six months with approval from a National Assembly controlled by the ruling party and presided over by Rodríguez’s brother Jorge.
📌 Key Facts
- On April 1, 2026, the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) formally lifted sanctions on Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
- U.S. sanctions relief is being interpreted as a strong signal that the United States recognizes Rodríguez as Venezuela's legitimate authority following the U.S. capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Jan. 3 in Caracas.
- Maduro and his wife were transported to New York to face U.S. drug‑trafficking charges; both have pleaded not guilty.
- Venezuela's Supreme Court declared Maduro's absence "temporary" and ordered Rodríguez to serve as acting president for up to 90 days (a period the report says expires this Friday); that term can be extended to six months with National Assembly approval.
- The National Assembly, controlled by the ruling party and presided over by Rodríguez's brother Jorge, holds the power to approve an extension of her acting presidency.
📊 Relevant Data
Delcy Rodríguez was originally sanctioned by the United States for her involvement in undermining democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Venezuela, as well as links to corruption and criminal networks.
Delcy Rodriguez under the tutelage of the U.S. — GIS Reports
Approximately 7.9 million Venezuelans have migrated abroad since 2014 due to political repression, economic collapse, hyperinflation, corruption, and shortages of food and medicine, with U.S. sanctions exacerbating the economic downturn.
Venezuelan Migration: Past, Present, and Future — Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
Venezuela's crude oil production reached approximately 1.005 million barrels per day in early 2026, up from 850,000 barrels per day a year earlier, following partial sanctions relief.
Venezuela Crude Oil Production (Monthly) — YCharts
The Venezuelan immigrant population in the United States grew to about 1.2 million by 2024, with more than half arriving in the past five years, representing a 318% increase since 2010.
Venezuelan Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms via an OFAC entry that sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez were formally lifted on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
- States explicitly that the sanctions relief is being interpreted as a strong signal that the U.S. recognizes Rodríguez as a legitimate authority in Venezuela following the U.S. military capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Jan. 3 in Caracas.
- Details that Maduro and his wife were transported to New York to face drug‑trafficking charges, and that both have pleaded not guilty.
- Explains that Venezuela’s high court declared Maduro’s absence “temporary,” ordered Rodríguez to take office for up to 90 days (extendable to six months with National Assembly approval), and that this 90‑day period ends Friday.
- Notes that the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling party and presided over by Rodríguez’s brother Jorge, holds the power to extend her acting presidency.