The U.S. government is reconsidering its stance on sanctions against Venezuela following recent developments that undermine the possibility of free elections in the country. Senator Menendez criticized the Biden Administration for easing sanctions in a deal with Maduro, insisting that sanctions should be reimposed until opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado is allowed to run in a truly free election. Experts believe the U.S. is unlikely to reimpose the harshest sanctions that were lifted last October. Despite Venezuela's electoral backsliding, the U.S. has decided to wait until April to potentially restore sanctions on state oil driller PDVSA, although it will rescind a license awarded to Venezuela’s state gold producer. The EU has condemned Venezuela's ban on Machado, and regional groups have voiced concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections. The Venezuelan government has been warned of the consequences of barring candidates by Assistant Secretary of State @WHAAsstSecty. The U.S. has begun reimposing sanctions by restricting its mining sector, with a February 13 deadline for transactions with Minerven. Maduro's government has until April to uphold commitments made in the Barbados agreements, including freeing political prisoners and allowing opposition leaders to run in this year's election, with the license set to expire on April 18, 2024.
#Venezuela is prepared for any scenario including the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on its oil exports, Energy Minister Pedro Tellechea said on Tuesday. #oott https://t.co/8EoZVsvX5X
If more sanctions come, we will be prepared. Venezuela is open to dialog. – #Venezuela oil minister Tellechea #oott
U.S. suspends economic support for Venezuela after Maduro's crackdown on opposition parties https://t.co/MGhcRt86wh
*VENEZUELA IS READY TO HELP SOLVE WORLD ENERGY CRISIS: TELLECHEA
❖ VENEZUELA IS READY TO HELP SOLVE WORLD ENERGY CRISIS: TELLECHEA ❖ VENEZUELA IS PREPARED FOR OIL SANCTIONS: MINISTER
The White House’s bet that the Maduro administration would respond to sanctions liberalization was and remains a risky one, @ChrisSabatini writes. https://t.co/qn0UH4zy6t
#Venezuela: Absent progress between Maduro and his representatives and the opposition Unitary Platform, particularly on allowing all presidential candidates to compete in this year’s election, the United States will not renew the license when it expires on April 18, 2024.… https://t.co/Y3cSuQTMqM
#Venezuela: Sanctions Actions and Supporting Democracy - State Department #oott https://t.co/bdA0MfA6vl
Venezuela-US Barbados Sanctions Agreement Fails Reported by @MateoGuillamont via @Floridianpress https://t.co/J2vBmRRTbZ #FlPol #Venezuela
With mining sanctions snapped back on #Venezuela and oil/gas sanctions threatened for April, Washington is watching for a reaction in Caracas. Considering they’ve threatened a “severe” response to any new sanctions, we can probably expect some blowback. https://t.co/BsPIrc81Bm
Now that the USG has snapped back mining sanctions on #Venezuela and threatened oil/gas sanctions in April, Washington is watching for a reaction. Considering they’ve threatened a “swift” response to any new sanctions, think we can expect some blowback. https://t.co/BsPIrc81Bm
.@POTUS, re-impose SEVERE sanctions on the Venezuelan regime NOW, not in April, NOW. No more excuses, chances to Maduro and ‘revisions’ that only fuel the regime and undermine our fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. https://t.co/1B0vQYEJLD
#Venezuela | President Nicolas Maduro revealed that the political opposition drafted the mechanism for reviewing political disqualifications established in the Barbados agreements. https://t.co/42TyJFiZPt
The US has begun reimposing sanctions on Venezuela by restricting its mining sector after the South American nation’s top court bans presidential hopeful https://t.co/wDaqDymDt8 https://t.co/kQwkIrSUFj
First the US put a November deadline on the participation of opponents in #Venezuela's electoral process. Then it became April. Will Maduro call Washington's bluff? https://t.co/KMRzkyh1LW
“In a first reinstatement of sanctions, the Treasury Department said on Monday evening any U.S. entities conducting transactions with Venezuelan state-owned gold mining firm Minerven will have until Feb. 13 to wind them down.” https://t.co/UtLQwh25nS
Venezuela Leader Rejects Possibility Of Substitute Opposition Candidate https://t.co/1LYw0st4sw https://t.co/6DowSXtoWR
The US revoked previous sanctions relief today targeting the Venezuelan state owned mining company CVG. Previously in October transactions were authorised but the sanctions have been reapplied and now all transactions will be prohibited from February 13th. #Venezuela https://t.co/26YVHz2e7X
US says Maduro has until April to uphold commitments made in the Barbados agreements including freeing political prisoners and allowing opposition leaders (Maria Corina Machado) to run in this years election. #Venezuela https://t.co/3MPghM9kgI
"US Says All #Venezuela Sanctions Are on Table If Maduro Reneges" -- Nov. 16, 2023 Reminded tonight of my interview with Assistant Secretary of State @WHAAsstSecty. The Maduro regime has been told for SOME time the consequences of barring candidates... https://t.co/4lAStXH5rU
The US will rescind a license awarded to Venezuela's state gold producer after Nicolás Maduro's government banned the opposition's leading candidate from participating in elections this year -By @PattyLaya https://t.co/sOwQKYmnZK
Step two on #Venezuela: The US will RESCIND a license awarded to the state gold producer, after sources told us earlier today that it will wait until April to potentially snap back sanctions on state oil driller PDVSA. https://t.co/oZhSvpNABt
Venezuelan Communist Dictator Prevents Top Opposition Candidate from Running in Election – Just Like the Democrats via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/Pv4uic0uuN
The US will rescind a license awarded to Venezuela’s state gold producer after Maduro’s government banned an opposition candidate from running for president https://t.co/buFivFvPvr
White House gives Maduro an April deadline on democratic reform before sanctions snap back https://t.co/orMsmE6m6g
Team Biden decides to wait until April to restore sanctions on Maduro, but if he does the "punishment" might be tougher than some of us anticipated. Hmm. It's a lot of "maybes," you can conclude either 1) They're weak 2) They don't really want to restore sanctions or 3) They see…
Team Biden decides to wait until April to restore sanctions on Maduro, but if he does it might be tougher than many of us thought. Hmm. It's a lot of "maybes," you can conclude either 1) They're weak 2) They don't really want to restore sanctions or 3) They see cracks within the…
The Organization of American States says quite rightly that the Venezuelan government "decision to block the presidential candidacy of an opposition leader...eliminates any possibility of a free election this year." Sustained pressure is needed on Maduro. https://t.co/h5cdeJS3tN
#Venezuela | Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the National Assembly, announced that Venezuela is ready to uphold the agreements from Barbados. https://t.co/b18p96TL09
Venezuelan bonds extended a selloff after the US warned sanctions will be restored if the government continues to block opposition candidates from running in this year’s elections https://t.co/N8Shmj5lUR
The US plans to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela for depriving the political rights of the leader of the right-wing opposition, Bloomberg. Global South needs to unite and move away from the $ and €.
🇻🇪 New Elections, Old Strategies: Repression in Venezuela. https://t.co/vnONF5R5NB
The Venezuelan opposition's commitment to elections reflects the strong public support for the electoral route, despite the obstacles. There is little appetite for a boycott, polls show. https://t.co/TaSyQnLSM2
#BREAKING Venezuela's Maduro 'will not choose' election rival, vows banned contender https://t.co/Mu2Ass5Oco
Tough choices for the Venezuelan opposition, and for the US. The reflex to boycott and sanction is understandable, but those strategies have failed in the past. That said, it would be problematic to legitimize an Iran-style election. https://t.co/Wltt0DauES
“This deeply concerning decision runs contrary to the commitments made by Maduro and his representatives under the Barbados electoral roadmap agreement to allow all parties to select their candidates for the presidential election.” https://t.co/ZePfR24Q0e
The Barbados Agreement Is Full of Traps. But the Opposition Still Has a Chance. https://t.co/NYaXGmzKFO via @CaracasChron
US Unlikely to Return All Venezuela Sanctions After Ruling https://t.co/UbcFjt6JUA via @YahooFinanceAU
As I told the @AP here, it's become clear that Maduro was never going to lift the ban on Machado—her popularity makes her too much of a threat. The question now is where that leaves the opposition's approach to presidential elections. https://t.co/bsv1v7YjYc
In lifting tough sanctions on Venezuela, Biden will test whether sanctions can work as a diplomatic tool, @ChrisSabatini explains. https://t.co/qn0UH4zy6t
In statement on #Venezuela, EU condemns ban on @MariaCorinaYA, and “welcomes the decision by the parties to the Venezuelan-led negotiation process to remain at the negotiation table.” https://t.co/unfiknBOao
U.S. reviewing Venezuelan sanctions policy in wake of court decision https://t.co/yEMGoTlCYr
Strong statement from the EU: Venezuela: Statement by the Spokesperson on banning opposition politicians | EEAS https://t.co/DvKqA19x00
Appreciated speaking with @EMPosts of @Bloomberg on possible next steps for the U.S. following the Maduro regime's ruling barring opposition candidate @MariaCorinaYA from running in this year's presidential election. https://t.co/ByJlWTiCdx
Despite #Venezuela's electoral backsliding, the US seems unlikely to reimpose the harshest version of sanctions that existed prior to last October's agreement for free and fair elections, experts say. Story with @zerpius @PattyLaya https://t.co/L2udlCYcLa
Despite Venezuela's electoral backsliding, the US seems unlikely to reimpose another round of harsh sanctions, experts say https://t.co/xTCIVuoyjl
Regional group says Venezuela's move against opposition candidate ends possibility of free election (from @AP) By @reginagarciakNO https://t.co/F9F2Y4ZraG
I warned the Biden Admin when they broadly eased sanctions in their deal with Maduro that follow through would be everything. The news out of Venezuela should result in sanctions being immediately reimposed and not lifted until Ms. Machado is able to run in a truly free election. https://t.co/GSyKSYxySv