US lifts sanctions against Venezuela to facilitate rescue operations

Washington, United States, 26 Jun 2026 (AFP) - The United States government has suspended for four months economic sanctions against Venezuela that could hamper rescue operations following the two earthquakes that caused hundreds of deaths in the country.
"All transactions related to relief operations for earthquake victims in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited are authorized" until October 23, according to an authorization published Thursday night by the Treasury Department.
The magnitude 7.5 and 7.2 earthquakes that hit the country on Wednesday caused at least 589 deaths, according to the latest report from Venezuelan authorities.
Washington imposed a severe package of economic sanctions on Caracas, especially from 2019 onwards, to put pressure on the deposed president Nicolás Maduro, considered illegitimate by the United States.
Maduro was arrested in Caracas by American forces in January this year and faces drug trafficking charges in New York.
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Source: G1