The United States Department of the Treasury has lifted sanctions on Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts between the US and Venezuela. The removal from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list was officially noted on the agency’s website on October 14, 2026.
Jorge Rodriguez has served as the president of the National Assembly since 2021 and was reappointed in January. He is the brother of Delcy Rodriguez, who is recognized as the interim President of Venezuela. Both Jorge and Delcy Rodriguez were sanctioned during Donald Trump’s presidency due to their roles in the Maduro administration, which has faced numerous allegations of human rights abuses.
The decision to lift the sanctions is viewed as part of a broader strategy by the US to engage with the Venezuelan government, particularly in the context of energy agreements. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that further negotiations regarding Venezuela's political future are set to commence soon, encouraging opposition factions to participate in US-backed discussions.
Earlier this year, sanctions against Delcy Rodriguez were also lifted, along with restrictions on Venezuela’s central bank and national airline. These actions suggest a shift in US policy from economic sanctions to diplomatic negotiations. Delcy Rodriguez has indicated a commitment to holding elections, although no specific date has been established. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has called for elections to occur by July.
Since the political upheaval in Venezuela, the US has secured access to several oil fields in the country, with international energy firms also planning to expand operations. In August, plans were announced to facilitate US access to Venezuelan oil to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.