According to reports from the American daily, Nicolas Maduro proposed opening all mining and oil projects to American companies, including providing them with preferential conditions. The offer also included changing the direction of oil exports from China to the United States and ending cooperation with energy companies from Russia, China and Iran.
Donald Trump's administration, however,it abandoned this proposal, and last week diplomatic relations between the US and Venezuela were severed. NYT's interlocutors emphasized that this step definitely ended the possibility of an agreement at this point.
In the face of increasing pressure from the United States, the Venezuelan authorities declared to defend the “socialist revolution”, while expressing readiness to further negotiations with Washington.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, one of the main advocates of removing Maduro from power, described him as an illegitimate leader who is “evading American justice.” Rubio also expressed skepticism about the actions of Richard Grenell, the U.S. special envoy who held talks with Venezuelan officials.
As the New York Times' interlocutors pointed out, Grenell's negotiations brought progress on economic matters, but no agreement was reached regarding Maduro's political future.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, in an interview last month, made it clear that Maduro had no intention of negotiating his departure.\
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The New York Times recalled that Venezuela currently produces about one million barrels of oil per day, which is a significant decrease compared to the times of Hugo Chavez, when production reached three million barrels.. Most of Venezuela's oil now goes to China, with the exception of about 100,000. barrels per day that Chevron sells to the US market.
Experts indicate that Venezuela could quickly increase oil production thanks to foreign investment, although opinions are divided on whether this is possible under Maduro's government. The daily noted that the prospect of trade normalization and the return of U.S. companies to Venezuela may be tempting to some officials in Washington, given its vast oil reserves and natural resources such as natural gas, gold, iron and coltan.
