Maduro signals interest in resuming dialogue with the US after Trump sanctions Chevron.
Venezuelan president criticizes Trump's measure, which revoked the oil company's license, and claims the decision harmed the repatriation of migrants.
247 - Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared on Wednesday (4) that he is interested in resuming talks with the US after the revocation of Chevron's operating license in Venezuela by the Donald Trump administration. The statements were made during the inauguration of the Heroines' Walk in Caracas, at an event alluding to International Women's Day, and reported by the portal The National.
"Imperialism made decisions and shot itself in the foot by sanctioning a US company, Chevron, which has been working here for 100 years," Maduro stated. The president, however, made it clear that he is willing to re-establish contact with the Trump administration to resolve "this and other pending issues."
Maduro highlighted that the US measure, announced on Tuesday (3), also impacted flights scheduled to repatriate Venezuelan migrants. The state-owned Conviasa, responsible for the flights, had its plans affected. "It is sad that there is persecution against these human beings who went to seek a better economic future," he lamented. The president added that he sees no obstacles for Chevron to continue in the country and invited "all who want" to invest in Venezuela.
Context of sanctions and migration tensions
Chevron's license was revoked following criticism from Trump regarding the Maduro government's slow pace in accelerating deportations of undocumented Venezuelans in the U.S. The company will have until April 3rd to cease operations in the country. According to... The Wall Street JournalThis measure further complicates Trump's promise of mass deportation, which already faces logistical and financial challenges.
The American newspaper pointed to internal divisions within the Trump administration regarding its strategy toward Venezuela. Since February 20th, there have been no new diplomatic visits to Caracas nor deportation flights, according to sources close to the negotiations. In February, 366 Venezuelans were repatriated from the US in three flights. A fourth flight, carrying 242 deportees from Mexico, including women and children, arrived in Venezuela on February 24th, as a result of a bilateral agreement.
