This Thursday, October 19, a day after the United States reported on the temporary lifting of some sanctions on Venezuela, it was reported that although Washington was satisfied with the dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the opposition, it was made clear that “we are not ready” for “a change in diplomatic relations,” said the head of US diplomacy for Latin America, Brian Nichols.
“We are, yes, considering Francisco Palmieri’s invitation to visit, but I believe we are not ready to define the possibility of a change in diplomatic relations beyond the democratic process of transition,” he declared.
Palmieri is the head of the diplomatic mission for Venezuela, based in Colombia since 2019 due to the breakdown of relations between Washington and Caracas. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the United States considers Maduro’s re-election in 2018 fraudulent and does not recognize it.
“I hope to see you soon here in the Miraflores palace,” Maduro said Wednesday, referring to Palmieri, after learning about the lifting of sanctions.
On Wednesday, October 19, the Government of the United States temporarily removed some of the sanctions imposed on the oil sector of Venezuela, a day after the agreement between the Government and the opposition platform of the Latin American country to guarantee the holding the presidential election in 2024.
The US Treasury Department reported through a statement published on its website the issuance of four licenses, which are “ready to change or revoke” at “any time” if the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro , “don’t keep your promises.
Therefore, he pointed out that one of the permits allows transactions in the oil and gas sector for six months. “The license will only be renewed if Venezuela fulfills its commitments,” the department stressed.
The second authorization allows transactions with Minerven, a Venezuelan state gold company, with the aim of “reducing the trade of gold on the black market.” Likewise, it authorized the secondary negotiation of certain debt and equity bonds of the state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).
The previous day, the Government of Venezuela and the platform that unites the main opposition parties signed agreements establishing political rights and electoral guarantees, as well as the removal of sanctions and respect for the sovereignty of Venezuela.
Maduro, who published the joint agreement, noted that this text “confirms the strengthening of an inclusive democracy and political partnership that will protect Human Rights” outlined in the Constitution of Venezuela.
