U.S. Removes Venezuelan Assembly Leader Jorge Rodríguez from Sanctions List

The Treasury Department confirmed that Jorge Rodríguez, one outlet president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, is no longer listed on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) sanctions roster. His removal follows the earlier delisting of his sister, Delcy Rodríguez, who serves as Venezuela’s interim president. The sanctions list, managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, normally freezes assets and bans U.S. persons from conducting transactions with listed individuals.

The change occurs after U.S. forces entered Caracas in January and detained former president Nicolás Maduro and his spouse Cilia Flores on U.S. drug-trafficking and human-rights charges. Washington and Caracas have also reached an agreement granting the United States majority control over one-fifth of Venezuela’s crude oil reserves, a sector that could see more foreign companies under proposed legal amendments. The Treasury provided no specific rationale for lifting the sanctions on Jorge Rodríguez.