The United States is preparing to slightly relax the Sanctions decreed against Venezuela. The decision officially aims to promote a resumption of dialogue between the government of Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan opposition. Oil and the war in Ukraine are probably not missing from the American calculation.
Announced Tuesday, May 17, in Washington, by a dispatch from the Associated Press agency, citing “two senior US officials speaking on condition of anonymity”the sanctions relief was confirmed in Caracas by the country’s Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez. “Venezuela has verified and confirmed reports that the United States of America has authorized American and European oil companies to negotiate and resume operations in Venezuela”announced, on Twitter, Mme Rodríguez. Venezuela hopes that “These decisions pave the way for the complete lifting of the illegal sanctions that affect all of our people”.
It is an optimistic view. In the immediate future, the measure taken by the Americans must essentially allow the company Chevron, the last oil company still present in Venezuela, to engage in negotiations “with a view to a possible reactivation of its activities”, blocked since 2019 due to the oil embargo. The green light is limited to talks: the license granted to Chevron does not authorize it to enter into an agreement or to develop any activity with the public company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The other measure announced is also very specific: Carlos Malpica-Flores, a former PDVSA executive and close relative of the wife of Nicolas Maduro, should be removed from the list of Venezuelan officials who have been subject to sanctions. individual.
Obtain democratic guarantees
These measures were decided “at the request of the Venezuelan transitional government”, it was clarified in Washington. The United States continues to recognize Juan Guaido and his transitional government as the only legitimate authorities in Venezuela. Mr. Guaido declared himself president in January 2019 after the disputed re-election of Mr. Maduro. He is today very marginalized even within his camp.
The Unitary Platform, which brings together the opposition parties close to Mr. Guaido, announced on Tuesday evening that it was in conversation with the government of Nicolas Maduro in order to resume the so-called “Mexico” political negotiations. The opposition would like to obtain democratic guarantees for the presidential election of 2024.
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