Trump says the US has a “grade 10” relationship with the president of Venezuela. “I'll pay a visit”
Donald Trump in the White House. Photo credit: Shealah Craighead / Zuma Press / Profimedia
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States' relationship with Venezuela is “very good” and that he recognizes Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez as the leader of the official government, Reuters reports.
“We have a very good relationship with the president of Venezuela,” Trump told reporters at the White House, noting that the United States “works very closely” with Rodriguez on oil.
Asked by the Reuters reporter if he would recognize Rodriguez as the official government representative, Trump replied: “Yes, we have. We are working with them and, indeed, they are doing an excellent job right now.”
“The relationship we have now with Venezuela I would say is a ten,” added Trump.
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Trump announces he will go to Venezuela
Donald Trump also announced that he will pay a visit to Venezuela, but without specifying its date, writes AFP.
“I will go to Venezuela”, but “I haven't decided” when, the American president told journalists at the White House.
The US invited Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's replacement at the head of Venezuela, to the White House
The US authorizes five oil giants to resume operations in Venezuela
The United States on Friday authorized five oil giants, including four European companies, to resume operations in Venezuela under Washington's watchful eye.
In a document published on the website of the Treasury Department, the British companies BP and Shell, the Italian company Eni and the Spanish company Repsol were authorized to work in the oil and gas sector in Venezuela, alongside the American company Chevron, which was able to maintain operations there based on a waiver, AFP and Agerpres report.
The license authorizes these groups to do business with the national oil company PDVSA and its affiliated companies.
According to the document, the contracts will be governed by American law, and any disputes will be settled in the United States.
Payments must be made through accounts approved by the US Treasury.
Another license, published at the same time, authorizes new investments, for example for the exploration of new oil fields or the development of existing activities.
Since the US military raid that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro in early January, Donald Trump has sought to relaunch the exploitation of Venezuela's oil and gas resources under his own patronage.
He promised that the two countries will share the profits.
“We take the oil.” Donald Trump says the US has seized crude oil from Venezuelan tankers and is refining it in America
“The embargo is practically over”
His Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, was in Venezuela this week, where he promised a “spectacular increase” in oil production.
In parallel, the Treasury Department, which manages economic sanctions, is gradually lifting the embargo imposed by the United States on the country's oil in 2019.
That embargo “is basically over,” Wright said Wednesday.
Each time it lifts restrictions on Venezuelan oil trade, the US administration is careful to set conditions to prevent the deals from serving the interests of Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba or China.
Chevron was the only multinational oil company that managed to keep its license to operate in Venezuela after Donald Trump's return to power last year.
Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, with more than 303 billion barrels.
Trump's 'black gold' plan: US oil giants sent to revive Venezuela after fall of Maduro
