On Wednesday, 14 October, the US government lifted sanctions against Jorge Rodríguez, President of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Amid political negotiations, economic agreements and controversy, the decision marks a new chapter in relations between Washington and Caracas, despite the controversies surrounding the Rodríguez siblings.
So far, the US government has not provided an official explanation for the decision. However, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), part of the US Treasury Department, removed Jorge Rodríguez from its sanctions list.
The decision appeared in an official notice published on 14 October under the title “Venezuela-related Designation Removal”. Months earlier, Washington had also removed Delcy Rodríguez from its sanctions list through a similar notice.
From sanctions to closer relations
The US imposed sanctions on the Rodríguez siblings in September 2018 over their close ties to Nicolás Maduro and their key roles within his government. At the time, Washington accused them of undermining democratic institutions. The sanctions included financial restrictions and the freezing of assets under US jurisdiction.
The removal of sanctions comes as the United States and Venezuela strengthen their relations, particularly in the energy sector. Both countries reached an agreement granting the US significant control over major Venezuelan oil resources. The Rodríguez government has also introduced reforms to encourage foreign investment.
The announcement also coincides with ongoing political discussions about Venezuela’s future, including a possible democratic transition and the holding of presidential elections.
However, as Washington lifts sanctions, questions remain over the political backgrounds of the Rodríguez siblings, particularly the controversies surrounding Delcy Rodríguez and her links to Spanish politicians.
Delcy Rodríguez and controversies involving Spanish politicians
One of the most controversial incidents took place in January 2020. At the time, Delcy Rodríguez served as Venezuela’s Vice President and met José Luis Ábalos, then Spain’s Minister of Transport, at Madrid-Barajas Airport.
The meeting sparked controversy because European Union sanctions prohibited Rodríguez from entering EU territory. Nevertheless, the encounter, which became known as the Delcygate scandal, took place at the Madrid airport.
In a recent report, Spanish newspaper EL ESPAÑOL claimed that Delcy Rodríguez had allegedly handed gold coins to José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García during her stop at Madrid-Barajas Airport.
The incident raised questions about the relationship between Nicolás Maduro’s government and the Spanish authorities. However, Spain’s Supreme Court closed the criminal investigation against Ábalos in 2020.
The Koldo case
Years later, Delcy Rodríguez’s name resurfaced in controversies surrounding Spanish businessman Víctor de Aldama and the so-called Koldo case.
Aldama told a Spanish judge that Delcy Rodríguez had given him an envelope allegedly containing information about possible illegal financing of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the Socialist International, an organisation that brings together socialist parties from different countries.
However, Aldama’s statements to the Spanish judiciary do not prove that Rodríguez participated in any illegal financing.
The Plus Ultra case
Delcy Rodríguez’s name also appeared in investigations into alleged corruption involving Plus Ultra, a Spanish airline with business ties to Venezuela.
In 2021, the airline received a €53 million government bailout approved by the Spanish government to help it overcome financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In May 2026, Spanish media published information from a police report containing conversations between Plus Ultra executives.
According to the report, the businessmen considered contacting Delcy Rodríguez to help them establish links with José Luis Ábalos or people close to former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
However, these conversations do not prove that Rodríguez took part in any illegal activities.
Despite the controversies surrounding Delcy Rodríguez, Washington continues to strengthen its ties with the Venezuelan government. The removal of sanctions against Jorge Rodríguez therefore represents another step towards closer relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, as diplomatic relations continue to develop, Venezuela still faces demands for democratic reforms and the holding of presidential elections.
Journalist
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