The United States has eased sanctions on Venezuelan National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez, removing his name from the US Treasury Department's list of specially designated nationals, according to a notice issued Wednesday.

The move comes as Washington and Caracas pursue closer ties following the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro, with Rodriguez representing Venezuela's interim government in US-backed transition talks with the country's political opposition.

Jorge Rodriguez is the brother of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, whose own US sanctions were lifted months earlier. Both were sanctioned by Washington during US President Donald Trump's first presidency.

Following the US abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January, ties between Washington and Caracas have improved, with Delcy Rodriguez complying with Trump's demands for Venezuela to open its energy industry to US companies.

Jorge Rodriguez has since emerged as a key figure in the political transition process, representing the interim government in talks with Venezuela's opposition.

US eases sanctions, takes over wealth

Since Maduro was removed from power in the US abduction operation in January, Washington has progressively eased sanctions on Venezuela while expanding its influence over the country's political and energy affairs. 

By August, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington secured "majority control" over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves, marking a sweeping expansion of US involvement in the South American country's energy sector.

The arrangement, which Trump said was reached through cooperation between US officials, Venezuela's interim leadership, and private companies, would cover roughly one-fifth of Venezuela's proven reserves.

Read more: US seeks long-term access to Venezuelan oilfields: Reuters