The United States’ (U.S.) decision to lift sanctions against Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, is viewed as a critical development not only in terms of the reshaping of diplomatic relations between the two countries but also in terms of the balance of power in Latin America.[1] This step seems to indicate a partial strategic shift away from the sanctions-based pressure policy the U.S. has pursued for many years. However, it is apparent that this shift constitutes a controlled and interest-driven re-engagement process rather than a complete normalization.
The decision to lift sanctions represents a significant turning point in U.S. policy toward Venezuela. The removal of Rodriguez from that list, who had been placed on the sanctions list in 2018 on the basis that he was undermining democracy, shows that Washington is moving toward direct cooperation with the Caracas administration. This situation demonstrates that the US is attempting to bring about regime change in Venezuela not only through external pressure but also by working with actors selected from within the current government. Therefore, this development shows that traditional sanctions policies have been replaced by a more flexible and pragmatic approach.
The removal of Nicolas Maduro from power by US intervention played a decisive role in the background of this decision. Following this event, Rodriguez’s appointment as interim leader and his recognition by the US demonstrated that Washington was seeking to establish a new political order in Venezuela. In this context, the lifting of sanctions was used as a tool to strengthen the new administration’s legitimacy. Indeed, it appears that with this decision, the U.S. has started to reestablish economic and diplomatic ties with Venezuela.
From an economic point of view, it is evident that the lifting of sanctions has had critical consequences, particularly for Venezuela’s oil sector. The U.S. loosened restrictions on Venezuelan oil and allowed companies to re-enter this market, aiming to support the country’s economic recovery process. Given Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, this decision is considered significant not only for the Caracas government but also for global energy markets. In this context, it is clear that the US seeks to enhance economic cooperation with Venezuela to both secure energy supplies and strengthen its influence in the region.
Developments in the diplomatic sphere have also been significant. The United States’ reopening of its embassy in Caracas after many years and Venezuela’s efforts to establish a diplomatic mission in Washington have demonstrated that relations between the two countries are being reconstructed.[2] These developments suggest that efforts are ongoing to gradually rebuild mutual trust. However, it is believed that this process remains fragile and that there are still significant differences of opinion between the parties.
The decision to lift sanctions has led to controversy in Venezuelan domestic politics. Opposition groups, in particular, have criticized the U.S. for cooperating with the Rodriguez administration. The opposition argues that this process could lead to the current government regaining power rather than promoting democratization. In this context, the fact that calls for the release of political prisoners have not been fully met indicates that the process is limited in nature. Indeed, human rights organizations have noted that hundreds of political prisoners remain in prison.[3]
The three-phase plan announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio demonstrates that the goal is long-term transformation in Venezuela. It has been stated that the first phase of this plan is stabilization, the second is recovery, and the final phase is democratic elections.[4] However, the lack of a clear timeframe for when the elections will take place adds to the uncertainty of the process. This situation could be interpreted as the U.S. prioritizing stability and economic interests over democratization in the short term.
On the other hand, contacts between opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and the U.S. administration have shown that Washington is not pursuing a policy that is entirely tied to the Rodriguez administration. Machado’s continued engagement with the U.S. and her calls for democratic reforms have demonstrated that political competition in Venezuela remains strong. However, it is unclear whether this situation will translate into concrete political outcomes.
The lifting of sanctions is also seen as part of the US strategy to increase its influence over Venezuela. In particular, negotiations regarding access to oil and mineral resources have shown that economic interests are the decisive factor in this process. The U.S. desire to gain more influence over Venezuela’s natural resources has revealed that this policy is not limited solely to the rhetoric of democratization. Consequently, the lifting of sanctions can be interpreted as a strategic move in which political and economic objectives are interlinked.
In light of these developments, it is clear that the transformation process taking place in Venezuela is multifaceted. While steps are being taken toward economic recovery and diplomatic normalization, little progress has been made on issues of democratization and human rights. This situation indicates that the process is not yet complete and that new sources of tension may emerge in the future.
Another issue that stands out in this process is the United States’ simultaneous use of both pragmatic and normative rhetoric in its policy toward Venezuela. While the emphasis on economic recovery and stability is highlighted on the one hand, it is evident on the other that expectations regarding democratic elections and political freedoms have not been entirely given up. However, the balance between these two approaches has not yet become clear, and it is observed that U.S. priorities are currently shaped by short-term economic and strategic interests. This situation reveals that uncertainties regarding the direction and nature of the transformation process in Venezuela still persist.
Overall, the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez is seen as the start of a new era in Venezuela. However, it has become clear that this new era represents a controlled and interest-driven process of restructuring rather than a fully democratic transformation. While economic cooperation, energy policies, and diplomatic relations take priority, democratic reforms appear to have been pushed to the background. Therefore, it is expected that developments in Venezuela will continue to be shaped not only by internal dynamics but also by U.S. regional strategies.
[1] Buschschlüter, Vanessa. “US Lifts Sanctions on Venezuelan Interim Leader Delcy Rodríguez”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje4l9de0d1o, (Date Accessed: 05.04.2026).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
