(Caracas) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday praised the “light but significant steps” taken by the United States to “grant licenses” to oil companies so that they can operate in Venezuela as part of an alleviation of the economic sanctions against the South American country.
Posted at 7:44 p.m.
“A week ago, the United States took small but significant steps by granting licenses to (the American company) Chevron, (the Italian) Eni and (the Spanish) Repsol to begin the processes of gas and oil production in Venezuela in order to export them to its natural markets,” the president said in an interview with an Argentine radio station, excerpts of which were posted on the presidential Twitter account.
The White House announced on May 17 the easing of some of the sanctions imposed in 2019, including an oil embargo, aimed at ousting Nicolas Maduro from power after the controversial 2018 elections that led to his re-election.
This easing of sanctions was part of the promotion of dialogue between power and the opposition, supported by Washington, suspended last October and which has not yet resumed.
A senior American official, however, insisted that American policy towards Venezuela remained unchanged: sanctions will be “lightened” in the event of progress towards democracy and “free” elections, and “heavier” if the process derails.
This senior official of the Biden administration had stressed that this “relief of sanctions” concerns above all a “limited exemption” granted to the American oil group Chevron within the framework of the embargo.
This company will be able to “negotiate the terms of potential future activities in Venezuela”, without however concluding a new agreement with the Venezuelan national company PDVSA, explained this official.
This source did not name Eni or Repsol, but Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said she had “verified and confirmed” that the measure included European companies.
A Summit of the Americas is organized from June 6 to 10 in Los Angeles to which the United States, as host country, has not invited Cuba, Venezuela or Nicaragua.
US authorities explained that “commitment” to democracy would be the factor that would be taken into account in deciding who would be invited to the Summit.