US lifts sanctions, Venezuela calls it a step towards normalisation

Moscow (ANTARA) - Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez stated that the United States’ lifting of sanctions against her represents a step towards normalising bilateral relations. On Wednesday (1/4), the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the removal of Rodríguez’s name from the sanctions list. On platform X, Rodríguez said that the decision by US President Donald Trump is a significant step towards normalisation and strengthening relations between the two countries. “We believe that this progress and determination will ultimately lead to the lifting of additional active sanctions against our country. This will enable the acceleration of economic development, investment, and effective bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both countries,” she said. The United States and Venezuela restored diplomatic relations in March after they had been severed since 2019. On 3 January, US forces captured the then President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, and brought them to New York. Trump stated that they would be tried on allegations of “narcoterrorism” and are considered a threat. After Maduro’s capture, the Venezuelan Supreme Court transferred the duties of head of state to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was then sworn in as acting president on 5 January. Since then, both countries have taken several steps to thaw long-standing tense relations.