President Trump himself recently addressed this matter: “We are examining it very seriously, but I’ve only been here for three weeks,” he stated when asked whether he would maintain Chevron’s license despite the economic sanctions imposed on Venezuela.
Additionally, several U.S. media outlets report that Harry Sargeant is leading efforts by a group of American oil entrepreneurs to persuade Trump of the benefits of a deal with Venezuela. Since November, when Trump won the election, Sargeant has been making this case. Moreover, Richard Grenell, Trump’s special envoy for Venezuela, recently stated in an interview that the U.S. president has no interest in promoting regime change worldwide and is primarily focused on the well-being of American citizens.
During a conversation with The Epoch Times, Grenell recalled his meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. “I spent the day in Caracas, met with Maduro, and looked him in the eye. I tried to have a conversation that could lead to a different kind of relationship with him,” Grenell stated.
Thus, there is room for positive developments for Venezuela. However, President Nicolás Maduro has already warned that extremist opposition figures, such as MarÃa Corina Machado, are calling for more sanctions against Venezuela and seeking an excuse for further aggression. “Those who are planning this will fail (…) They believe that imposing new sanctions or aggressions against Venezuela will scare the people. We will defeat them again, head-on. In Venezuela, there will be peace, harmony, national unity, prosperity, recovery, and development through our own efforts,” Maduro warned.
Leopoldo López Criticized for His Failed Strategies Against the Venezuelan People
In late 2024, Venezuelan economist Luis Oliveros explained that the potential removal of oil licenses for foreign companies operating in Venezuela by OFAC could lead to a 50% drop in the country’s foreign currency income. “This would have highly negative effects on inflation and
exchange rate volatility,” Oliveros stated.
These concerns prompted a swift response from fugitive Leopoldo López, one of the most radical opposition leaders who continues to advocate for sanctions against Venezuela.
López, exiled in Spain, refuses to acknowledge the negative impact of sanctions on Venezuela. He insists that the collapse of public services and the humanitarian crisis are solely the government’s responsibility. He also argues that Chevron’s licenses were granted on the condition that the Barbados Agreement would be honored. Even now, López fails to recognize that his pressure strategy since 2019 has only brought suffering to the Venezuelan population, as he continues to push for more economic blockades against the country.”You should have more empathy and connection with the reality that Venezuelans live (…) Sanctions were designed to worsen Venezuela’s economic crisis, and you know that very well,” Oliveros replied to López on the social media platform X.
Oil Production on the Rise
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in its January 2025 monthly report, detailed that Venezuela’s oil production exceeded one million barrels per day.Â
This level of production had not been achieved since 2019, marking a significant milestone after five and a half years.
The increase was made possible by the U.S. government’s easing of some sanctions on multinational companies trading with Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA.
As for the 2025 oil production plan, Venezuela’s Vice President and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Delcy RodrÃguez, stated on February 6 that the plan aims to improve efficiency within the industry.
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Publish date : 2025-02-26 08:40:00
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