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U.S. Lifts Some Sanctions on Venezuela After Interim Leader Signs Bill Opening Door for Private Oil Firms

HeadlineJan 30, 2026

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has signed into law a bill to allow for some privatization of Venezuela’s oil industry. Soon after the bill was signed, the Trump administration lifted some sanctions on Venezuela, making it easier for U.S. oil companies to buy, sell and store Venezuelan crude oil.

President Donald Trump: “We have the major oil companies going to Venezuela now, scouting it out and picking their locations.”

On Thursday, Trump also said he would order Venezuela’s commercial airspace to be reopened. The moves come less than a month after the U.S. attacked Venezuela and abducted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

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