US Eases Sanctions on Venezuelan Banks After Maduro Capture

The United States Department of the Treasury eased sanctions on the Central Bank of Venezuela and three state-run financial institutions—Banco de Venezuela, Banco del Tesoro, and Banco Digital de los Trabajadores. Issued through General Licenses 56 and 57, the move allows these banks to process wire transfers, remittances, and use US dollars in global markets for the first time since 2019.

This policy shift follows the January 2026 seizure of Nicolás Maduro by US forces in Caracas, who was transported to New York to face drug trafficking charges. An interim government has since been established under Delcy Rodríguez. While the Trump administration praised Rodríguez for opening the oil and mining sectors to foreign investment, the US Treasury clarified that the easing of sanctions is temporary rather than a full removal.

Critics and opposition politicians argue that Maduro loyalists still maintain power, pointing to the appointment of former defense minister Vladimir Padrino as agriculture minister. In a separate move, the US also lifted sanctions on former attorney general Reinaldo Muñoz.