Washington also insists that Venezuela limit its oil extraction cooperation exclusively to the United States, giving them priority in the sale of heavy crude oil. Sources claim that meeting these demands is a necessary condition for lifting restrictions on increasing oil production in the country.
At a closed briefing for members of Congress on January 5, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington has leverage over Caracas. He noted that Venezuelan oil tankers are overflowing, and without selling their reserves, the country could face financial difficulties in the coming weeks.
Earlier, Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the interim government of Venezuela would transfer between 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the U.S. According to him, this oil will be sold at market price, and the control over the funds received will be managed by the U.S. president to ensure their use "in the interests of the people of Venezuela and the United States."
Politico also reported on Washington's demands. According to the publication, the U.S. demanded that Delcy Rodriguez, in addition to halting drug trafficking and expelling Iranian, Cuban, and other agents allegedly hostile to Washington, also stop selling oil to U.S. competitors. Furthermore, American officials expect active participation in organizing free elections in Venezuela and the subsequent departure of Rodriguez from office.
