US Says Constructive Steps Needed for Venezuela Sanctions Relief
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
(Bloomberg) -- The US is willing to reconsider Venezuela sanctions only if President Nicolas Maduro takes “constructive steps” to restore democracy, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, reiterating that he’s seen no such progress so far.
Most Read from Bloomberg
Biden Says Putin Threats Real, Could Spark Nuclear ‘Armageddon’
Kremlin Lets State Media Tell Some Truths About Putin’s Stalling War
Stock Rout Gets Uglier With Nasdaq 100 Tumbling 4%: Markets Wrap
“There is no change in our sanctions policy,” Blinken told a press conference in the Peruvian capital of Lima. He said sanctions relief would require genuine progress in negotiations with the opposition and free and fair elections.
Blinken was responding to a question about news reports that the US was preparing to allow Chevron Corp. to resume pumping oil, smoothing the way for a possible reopening of US and European markets to oil exports from Venezuela.
Read more: Venezuela Frees Americans in Biden-Approved Swap With Maduro
Venezuela has been under economic and oil sanctions since 2019, after the US and dozens of other countries recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s legitimate president.
“At the same time we will also review and, if necessary, recalibrate our approach if there’s even more repression by the regime,” Blinken said.
Over the weekend, the Biden administration said Venezuela had freed seven Americans, including oil executives and a former Marine, in a swap involving two members of Maduro’s family imprisoned in the US.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
Even After $100 Billion, Self-Driving Cars Are Going Nowhere
Hackers Target Eager Homebuyers With a Dumb Scam That Keeps Working
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.