How have US-Venezuela relations changed since Maduro's ouster on January 3?

US-Venezuela relations have shifted from complete isolation to direct engagement: the Trump administration has restored diplomatic ties, reopened the US embassy in Caracas, and is holding high-level talks with interim President Delcy Rodríguez — a reversal of the prior policy that refused to recognize Maduro after 2018 and shut down the embassy in 2019.

What tools is the US using to influence Rodríguez’s government?

The US is using conditional sanctions relief — such as temporary, license-based allowances for financial transactions with Venezuela’s central bank and PDVSA — as leverage to control access to global finance, oil revenues, and investment; it is also pressuring political reforms, cabinet changes, and electoral restructuring, making economic relief contingent on compliance with US-dictated political steps.

Welcome to the New Venezuela: How the US Is Reshaping Its Old Foe

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The US restores diplomatic ties with Venezuela post-Maduro, easing sanctions on PDVSA to revive oil production amid global supply concerns. Despite investment opportunities, ordinary citizens face ongoing economic hardship and rising prices.

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Welcome to the New Venezuela: How the US Is Reshaping Its Old Foe

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