US Treasury Removed Jorge Rodríguez From Sanctions List

The U.S. government lifted sanctions against the Venezuelan National Assembly president this week.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in International Relations

US Treasury Removed Jorge Rodríguez From Sanctions List

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The U.S. Treasury removed Venezuelan National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez from its Specially Designated Nationals list on 14 October 2026. This move allows American individuals and companies to legally conduct business with him.

Why it matters

The decision marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuelan officials, following the earlier removal of Delcy Rodríguez from the same sanctions list in April 2026.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control deleted name variants for Jorge Rodríguez from the SDN list under the VENEZUELA programme. This action unblocks assets previously held under U.S. jurisdiction.

The players

Jorge Rodríguez

He is the current president of the Venezuelan National Assembly and a former communications minister.

Delcy Rodríguez

A high-ranking Venezuelan official who was previously removed from the U.S. sanctions list earlier in 2026.

Office of Foreign Assets Control

This U.S. Treasury agency enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals.

The details

The removal follows a pattern of recent changes to U.S. sanctions against top Venezuelan officials. Jorge Rodríguez, who previously served as communications minister, was re-elected to lead the National Assembly in January 2026.

25 September 2018: The U.S. initially imposed sanctions on Jorge Rodríguez.
January 2026: Jorge Rodríguez was re-elected as president of the Venezuelan National Assembly.
1 April 2026: The U.S. removed Delcy Rodríguez from the sanctions list.
14 October 2026: The U.S. Treasury officially removed Jorge Rodríguez from the sanctions list.

Political Context

Opponents of the administration's decision argue that lifting sanctions on figures associated with the Venezuelan government undermines pressure campaigns intended to restore democratic processes. This perspective highlights concerns that such actions could be perceived as a reversal of established diplomatic strategies.

U.S. businesses and individuals are now permitted to resume financial dealings with Jorge Rodríguez without violating federal sanctions. This change removes previous legal risks for American entities involved in transactions linked to the Venezuelan official.

The takeaway

The removal of sanctions indicates a potential shift in how the U.S. engages with specific Venezuelan political leadership. Readers should note that while this individual is now cleared for business, other U.S. regulations regarding Venezuela remain in place.