©Reuters. File photo: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, November 18, 2023.Reuters/Leonardo Fernández Viloria/File photo
Written by Matt Spetalnick
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will “reconsider” measures it took in October to ease sanctions on OPEC member Venezuela if President Nicolas Maduro fails to meet certain commitments by a Thursday deadline. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. Department of State is sticking to its threat.
The US “snapback” of partial sanctions lifting marks a major shift from President Joe Biden’s new approach to Venezuela, announced after the Maduro government and the country’s opposition agreed to hold elections in 2024. It will be shown.
The Biden administration will take steps to force the Venezuelan government to lift its voting ban on opposition candidates by the end of November and begin releasing Venezuelan political prisoners and “unlawfully detained” Americans, a spokesperson said. He reiterated that he had told them that it was necessary.
In the most significant lifting of tough Trump-era sanctions, Washington granted a six-month general permit allowing U.S. trade with Venezuela’s vital oil and gas sector and a second permit allowing state-run gold company Minerven to operate. It issued a general permit and lifted the U.S. ban. Regarding secondary market trading of Venezuelan government bonds.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that unless President Maduro provides a timeline and process for reinstating all banned candidates, he will “rescind” these measures and by the end of November, “unfairly detained” “We will begin the release of all American and Venezuelan political prisoners in the United States.”
A State Department spokesperson did not use the word “reversal,” saying, “If Mr. Maduro and his representatives are unable to implement these steps, we will reconsider the steps we have taken to ease some sanctions.” U.S. officials said this does not represent a “change in policy.”
The Venezuelan government did not respond to requests for comment. Jorge Rodríguez, head of President Maduro’s delegation to political dialogue with the rebels, said in mid-November that the government “will not accept an ultimatum from anyone.”
It was not immediately clear how broadly or quickly the United States would withdraw sanctions relief if it deems Mr. Maduro’s actions insufficient.
White House National Security Press Secretary John Kirby (NYSE:) told reporters early Thursday when asked if President Maduro is fulfilling his promises and whether the United States is prepared to reimpose sanctions. I don’t see any progress yet.” “Let’s see what decisions the Venezuelans will make.”
Venezuela’s government may allow banned politicians’ appeals to proceed in court as a way to partially comply with U.S. demands, officials told Reuters this week.
Maria Colina Machado, the winner of the opposition presidential primary, was among those forced from public office.
The Venezuelan government released five political prisoners in October, but there have been no further releases since then.
(This article has been refiled to add the deleted phrase “comply” in paragraph 1)