Venezuela Sanctions Relief Remains in Place, US Official Says

The Biden administration has not made a decision yet on whether to repeal the sanctions relief it granted Venezuela in October, a senior administration official said during a Dec. 20 call with reporters. “The sanctions relief has not shifted,” the official said, adding that the U.S. won't reimpose the sanctions as long as “progress towards competitive elections” continues.

The Treasury Department lifted the sanctions after the country’s government and opposition formally agreed to work together to ensure free and fair presidential elections (see 2310180070). Lawmakers have since called on the administration to reimpose the sanctions, saying President Nicolas Maduro hasn’t proven he will live up to those promises (see 2311150017).

Senior administration officials held the call with reporters to preview a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Venezuela, which will include the release of Americans and others held in Venezuela in exchange for a key Maduro ally held in the U.S.