The move, reflected in an update by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, effectively removes restrictions that had limited Rodríguez’s ability to engage with U.S. companies and investors, and underscores Washington’s recognition of her as a legitimate governing authority.

Rodríguez said the decision could open a path toward improved bilateral relations. In a statement posted on her Telegram channel, she described the move as a step toward “normalizing and strengthening relations” and expressed hope that broader sanctions on Venezuela would eventually be lifted to enable deeper cooperation.

The policy change follows the Jan. 3 capture of Maduro and his wife in Caracas by U.S. forces. Both were transferred to New York to face drug trafficking charges and have pleaded not guilty.

Their detention prompted a political transition in which Venezuela’s ruling-party-aligned Supreme Court declared Maduro’s absence temporary and installed Rodríguez as acting president.

Rodríguez, who had previously been sanctioned by Washington during Donald Trump’s first administration, was among senior Venezuelan officials targeted in 2018 for their alleged role in undermining democratic processes after a widely disputed election. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, and other members of Maduro’s inner circle were also designated at the time.

Despite those earlier measures, the current administration has opted to engage directly with Rodríguez following Maduro’s removal. U.S. officials have backed her role in implementing a phased plan to stabilize the country’s political and economic system, including outreach to foreign investors and commitments to increased transparency and international arbitration.

The administration has also taken broader steps to ease restrictions on Venezuela’s economy. In March, the Treasury authorized state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. to resume direct sales to U.S. buyers and access global markets, reversing years of tight sanctions on the country’s energy sector.

In parallel, U.S. authorities have formally recognized Rodríguez as the sole head of state in an ongoing civil case in federal court, further consolidating her standing in Washington’s policy framework.Maduro, however, remains Venezuela’s legal president under the country’s institutional structure.

The Supreme Court’s ruling allows Rodríguez to govern for an initial 90-day period, which is set to expire Friday, with a possible extension to six months subject to approval by the National Assembly, which is controlled by the ruling party and led by her brother.

The developments highlight an evolving U.S. approach toward Venezuela, balancing legal proceedings against Maduro with pragmatic engagement aimed at restoring economic activity and political stability in the oil-rich nation.

The vessel, the Anatoly Kolodkin, operating under U.S. sanctions, is the first Russian oil delivery to Cuba since January. Its arrival follows a decision by Donald Trump to permit the cargo on humanitarian grounds, avoiding a potential standoff with Moscow while easing acute shortages that have led to blackouts and fuel rationing.

Residents expressed cautious optimism as the tanker approached the Supertanker Base in Matanzas, a key energy hub east of Havana. Many said the shipment would provide temporary respite but fall short of addressing systemic shortages.

Cuba has faced repeated nationwide blackouts since 2024, alongside persistent scarcities of fuel, food and medicine. The latest delivery is expected to be processed over several weeks before refined products enter circulation.

Energy expert Jorge Pinon of the University of Texas at Austin estimated the crude could yield around 250,000 barrels of diesel, enough to meet demand for roughly 12 days, underscoring the limited scale of the relief. Fome Cubans welcomed the shipment as urgently needed support.

Others described it as insufficient given the depth of the crisis, calling it a symbolic gesture with minimal economic impact.The government is expected to prioritize allocation between electricity generation and transportation, both critical sectors strained by fuel shortages.

Analysts say the oil is unlikely to be used in Cuba’s aging thermoelectric plants, which rely primarily on domestically produced crude.Russia signaled its continued backing for Havana, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating Moscow viewed assistance to Cuba as a responsibility.

He added that Russia and the United States had been in contact regarding the shipment.Washington maintained that its broader sanctions policy remains unchanged.

The White House described the waiver as a case-by-case humanitarian decision, even as Trump reiterated criticism of Cuba’s leadership and downplayed the shipment’s long-term impact.Cuba’s energy outlook has worsened since the disruption of supplies from Venezuela earlier this year, intensifying reliance on external partners.

Efforts to secure alternative shipments, including discussions involving Mexico, have yet to yield sustained flows sufficient to stabilize the grid.

In a statement released on Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that Russia was monitoring developments related to U.S. operations against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that all international efforts aimed at addressing security challenges are conducted in accordance with global norms and mutual respect among states.

“We encourage all parties to act within the framework of international law and maintain transparency and cooperation in addressing regional concerns,” Zakharova said in her remarks published on the ministry’s website.

The comments come as the United States continues its campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, aimed at countering illegal drug trade networks. The initiative includes maritime patrols, air surveillance and joint enforcement actions with partner nations.

According to reports, the U.S. presence in the region has expanded in recent months with increased deployment of naval and air assets. American officials have said the operations are part of a broader strategy to strengthen maritime security and protect regional waters from organized crime.

Russian officials, however, have expressed concern about the scale of the military presence and urged for balanced measures that contribute to long-term regional stability. Zakharova noted that Russia supports international cooperation against illicit trafficking but believes such initiatives should align with the principles of proportionality and non-interference.

“Russia values dialogue and partnership in addressing transnational threats,” she said, adding that multilateral coordination through the United Nations and regional institutions is the most effective way to achieve sustainable solutions.

The Foreign Ministry also reiterated Russia’s ongoing collaboration with Venezuela within the framework of existing bilateral agreements. Both countries have maintained regular exchanges on economic, energy and cultural initiatives. In May, President Vladimir Putin and President Nicolás Maduro met in Moscow to sign a strategic partnership plan aimed at deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, science, and technology.

Officials from both nations described the agreement as a continuation of their long-standing diplomatic relationship, focused on mutual respect and support for national sovereignty.

Analysts note that the statement from Moscow reflects Russia’s broader foreign policy approach, which emphasizes dialogue, non-intervention, and the importance of international law in maintaining global stability. Diplomatic experts said that while differing perspectives between major powers are expected, the emphasis on communication channels remains essential in avoiding misunderstandings and promoting peace.

Regional observers in Latin America have also called for continued cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure that anti-narcotics initiatives contribute to safety and development rather than heightening geopolitical tensions. Several Caribbean governments have expressed interest in maintaining balanced partnerships with both Western and Eastern powers, focusing on joint efforts in maritime security, environmental protection and economic growth.

Russia’s reaffirmation of its position comes amid a complex global security environment, with multiple regional initiatives taking place across the Americas, Europe and Asia. The Foreign Ministry underlined the need for collective responsibility in addressing transnational challenges, including organized crime, drug trafficking, and illegal maritime activities.

In closing, Zakharova stressed that Russia remains open to constructive dialogue with all nations, including the United States, to promote mutual understanding and coordination in tackling shared global threats. She said that Moscow continues to advocate for diplomacy and cooperation as the most effective means to maintain peace and stability.

“Russia supports all initiatives that aim to strengthen international security through dialogue and partnership,” Zakharova concluded. “It is through collaboration, not confrontation, that the global community can achieve lasting progress.”