The State Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) She assured on Tuesday that she would be prepared in the event that the United States imposes “further sanctions” against the Caribbean country, which in turn is ready to be part of the solution to the “world energy problem”. This week the United States announced that it will not renew oil and gas licenses granted to it Venezuela in exchange for a democratic opening of the country. The last straw was the veto of the opposition María Corina Machado, who wants to run in the 2024 presidential elections.
“If they impose further sanctions on us, we will prepare for it. Rest assured that you will get (…) a powerful industry that can handle any situation. (…) Venezuela is open to solving and resolving the energy problem on a large scale. world,” said the President of PDVSA, Pedro Rafael Tellechea, quoted in a press release from the state-owned company.
The petroleum minister also assured this Sanctions “have never ceased to exist”and pointed out that “already purchased” devices could not reach the South American country.
However, he explained that the easing of US sanctions on Venezuelan oil and gas, which took effect last October for a six-month period – expiring in April – had allowed “some US or transnational companies” to enter Caribbean countries to go and “Visualize any type of projects.
The U.S. warned this week that the relief “will be renewed in April only if the representatives” of President Nicolás Maduro “fulfill their commitments” ahead of this year’s presidential election, including empowering the opposition Maria Corina Machado to participate in these elections, an ultimatum rejected by the Chavista government.
Since Washington eased its sanctions, the Caribbean country has signed various agreements and memoranda in the energy sector, including with Spain’s Repsol, France’s Maurel & Prom, Mexico’s Pemex, the Korsou Refinery (Rdk) of Curacao and with the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago.
In addition, Venezuela signed this Tuesday a memorandum of understanding with Turkey on cooperation in these areas, an agreement that complements the agreement signed this month with Indonesia on the development of oil and gas business.
With information from Efe