White House Issues Strict Conditions for Venezuela Oil Production
The Trump administration told Venezuela that it needs to meet strict political and economic conditions right away in order to increase oil production. Officials said that negotiations were sent directly to the interim leadership through diplomatic backchannels and formal briefings. The demands focus on changing Venezuela’s foreign partnerships and how it sells energy to other countries.
People who know about the plan say that China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba must all be kicked out. Venezuela must permanently end any economic cooperation agreements it has with those countries. The White House also wants to work with only US companies to produce oil.
Source: The Astana Times
Exclusive US Oil Partnership Becomes Central Policy Demand
Officials from the administration said that Venezuela had to agree to sell most of its heavy crude to American buyers. Refineries and traders in the United States must put long-term supply contracts and good prices first. Officials said this was necessary to bring back stability to the region’s energy supply.
The goal of the policy is to stop Venezuelan oil exports from going to countries that are rivals in politics. According to high-ranking diplomats, the goal is to control the market and keep things under control. Energy experts think that the policy will have a big effect on prices around the world.
Marco Rubio Outlines Financial Pressure Strategy to Lawmakers
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, told lawmakers in private about Venezuela’s timeline for its financial vulnerability. He said that the oil tankers that are already in use are full and not for sale. The government could go bankrupt in a matter of weeks if it doesn’t start exporting right away.
Rubio is said to have told Congress that oil reserves give Washington a lot of power. He said that the limits on tanker capacity make it harder for Caracas to make money in an emergency. The administration sees this as a strong bargaining chip.
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Senate Leader Confirms US Plan Focuses On Oil Control
Roger Wicker, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, confirmed the plan in an exclusive interview. He said that controlling oil shipments is the key to American power. The current plan does not call for military deployment.
Wicker said that the US government plans to control ships and shipping routes. Tankers will be sent to places that are not on the list of places that are not allowed, like Havana. Oil will only move if political demands are met.
Trump Claims Venezuela Will Transfer Millions of Barrels
President Trump said that Venezuela will give up 30 to 50 million barrels of oil. He said that those barrels would be sold at prices that are common around the world. The US government will control the money.
Trump said that the money would help both Venezuelan people and American businesses. He said the move was both humanitarian and strategic. Some people say it is economic coercion.
Administration Links Oil Deal to Migration and Security Goals
People in the White House said that stopping illegal migration flows must be part of the cooperation. Drug trafficking routes also need to be broken up. As part of compliance, the energy infrastructure needs to be fixed.
Officials called the policy “maximum leverage diplomacy.” They say it keeps Venezuelans safe from corruption and instability. Representatives from the State Department did not want to say anything else.
Blockade Policy Reinforces Pressure on Oil Shipments
Trump had already said that all Venezuelan oil tankers that were under sanctions would be blocked. He said that ships that weren’t authorized would not be allowed to pass right away. There would be no end to enforcement.
Officials from the administration confirmed that tankers are still not moving because of restrictions. Venezuela doesn’t have enough space right now to store more crude oil. This makes it much harder for the economy to get back on its feet.
