Key facts
- The US has lifted sanctions on Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela's National Assembly.
- Rodriguez is the brother of Venezuela's president.
- The US Treasury Department announced the sanctions lift on Wednesday.
- Rodriguez has led the legislature since 2021.
- A deal grants the US access to 17 Venezuelan oil fields.
- Rodriguez is expected to spearhead changes to oil legislation.
The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly and brother of the nation's president, according to a notice from the US Treasury Department posted on Wednesday. Rodriguez has led the legislature since 2021.
The move follows a deal between Caracas and Washington that grants the US access to 17 oil fields. International energy firms have also committed to expanding their projects in Venezuela. In August, President Donald Trump announced a plan to secure direct US access to a significant portion of Venezuela's oil reserves to replenish the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve.