Venezuelan opposition demands US end Chevron licenses

Venezuela’s main opposition coalition asked the United States on Monday (September 16, 2024) to revoke the licenses of oil companies, such as ChevronThe petition was filed by Rafael de la Cruz, campaign adviser to Edmundo González, and Maria Corina Machado, a key opposition leader. It aims to intensify pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro.

At an event in Washington, DC (USA), de la Cruz expressed the need to revoke the licenses, describing them as vital to the survival of the Nicolás Maduro regime (United Socialist Party of Venezuela, left). He stressed the importance of withdrawing support from oil companies to force a change in government, given the economic situation affecting the Venezuelan people. Information is from news agency.

He added: “We want to cancel it, as this is a security mechanism for the regime.” [de Maduro]“The advisor said,” “We want all the oil companies to go to Venezuela. So it’s not about the companies. This situation is impoverishing the country to the point where practically the entire population wants to end this regime.”He mentioned.

California-based Chevron has received individual permission from the Biden administration to negotiate with it. Venezuelan National Oil Company (Petroleos de Venezuela), the Venezuelan state-owned company, despite sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department in 2019. The sanctions were part of a strategy to punish Maduro’s government for practices seen as corrupt and undemocratic.

After negotiations between Maduro and the opposition, Chevron’s license was granted in 2022. Due to the impasse over the outcome of Venezuela’s July 28 elections, the US government has rescinded part of the sanctions relief, while maintaining the possibility for companies to seek waivers.

The adviser said the Gonzalez and Mayra Corina campaign wants that. “finding common ground” With oil companies. But, he said, their presence in Venezuela gives Maduro the ability to try “Normalizing the dictatorship he is trying to establish in Venezuela”According to Associated Press, Chevron did not comment on these statements.