Three Republican Representatives, Diaz-Balart, Gimenez, and Salazar, persuaded President Trump to revoke Chevron’s oil operations in Venezuela, an act intended to pressurize the Maduro regime. This decision has raised concerns regarding the impact on both Venezuela’s economy and U.S. interests, eliciting a retaliatory response from Venezuelan officials.
In a significant political maneuver, Republican Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Gimenez, and Maria Elvira Salazar influenced President Donald Trump to revoke Chevron’s operating license in Venezuela. This action follows their strategic discussions prior to a GOP budget vote last week, where they indicated their willingness to withhold support unless Trump acted decisively.
According to an Axios report, President Trump expressed concern, stating, “They’re going crazy and I need their votes,” underlining the urgency behind his decision. The announcement came shortly after the budget deal was finalized. House Speaker Mike Johnson later remarked to Republican donors about the trio, referring to them as the “three Crazy Cubans” who effectively gained a victory for their community.
Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration has mandated Chevron to cease all operations in Venezuela by April 3. The company has significantly increased its oil production in the country, contributing to approximately 20% of its output, and its presence has been crucial for the struggling Venezuelan economy.
Critics of Chevron argue that its operations support a dictatorial regime that has come to power through deceitful means. Trump has expressed his disapproval of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, asserting that he has failed to implement promised electoral reforms and has not expedited the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants in the U.S. accordingly. In a statement, Trump said, “We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro…”.
In response to the U.S. decision, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the sanctions against Chevron, claiming that it harms not only the Venezuelan populace but also American interests. She stated, “the United States government has made a damaging and inexplicable decision.”
The decision by President Trump to revoke Chevron’s license in Venezuela, influenced by Representatives Diaz-Balart, Gimenez, and Salazar, highlights a strategic alignment within the Republican Party aiming to assert pressure on the Maduro regime. The consequences of this action may adversely affect both the Venezuelan economy and U.S.-Venezuela relations. Responses from Venezuelan officials suggest that the implications of these sanctions extend beyond Venezuela, impacting American business interests as well.
Original Source: www.latintimes.com
