Venezuela leader calls on US to lift sanctions

Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez on Friday urged Donald Trump to fully lift sanctions imposed on the country as Caracas and Washington move toward restoring diplomatic relations.

US officials have been seeking greater access to Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources since a US military operation removed former leader Nicolás Maduro from power on January 3.

The United States began imposing sanctions on Venezuela in 2014, measures that severely damaged the country’s economy. Inflation surged to about 475 percent in 2025, while years of underinvestment weakened Venezuela’s oil infrastructure despite the country holding the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

In recent months, Washington has eased some restrictions, including a seven-year oil embargo, and granted licenses allowing a limited number of multinational companies to operate in the country. On Friday, the United States also authorized fertilizer imports from Venezuela as global prices rise due to the conflict involving Iran.

Rodríguez said the sanctions had harmed not only Venezuela but also neighboring countries. Speaking during a meeting with a Colombian delegation in Caracas, she said the measures had negatively affected both Venezuela’s and Colombia’s economies.

The talks were part of efforts to improve relations between Venezuela and Colombia, with Caracas working to push Colombian rebel groups back across the shared border.

The Trump administration has urged both countries to take stronger action against armed groups operating in the region, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), which is heavily involved in drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were taken to New York by US authorities to face drug trafficking charges. Both have pleaded not guilty.