Overview
- Interim president Delcy Rodríguez publicly urged President Donald Trump to lift the U.S. blockade and sanctions in a televised speech in Caracas, describing him as a partner and friend.
- She pointed to Trump's State of the Union remarks calling Venezuela a new friend and partner and noting the United States had received 80 million barrels of Venezuelan crude.
- Since January, Caracas and Washington have restored diplomatic ties, with U.S. envoys and senior officials visiting and Laura Dogu installed as chief of mission in Venezuela.
- The U.S. Treasury has issued limited licenses that allow a small number of companies to operate under restrictions, enabling initial commercial re-engagement in energy.
- Rodríguez met Shell executives at Miraflores to discuss gas projects, following a partial unblocking of Venezuelan assets that funded hospital equipment purchases in the United States.