US President Donald Trump has announced a plan to process and sell 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, which is subject to US sanctions. The oil, he said, will be shipped to the US.
"This oil will be sold at market price and I will control this money as President of the United States of America to ensure that it is used for the benefit of the people of Venezuela and the United States!" Trump said.
Based on recent Venezuelan oil prices, the value of the deal could be as high as $1.9 billion. Trump also hinted at rebuilding Venezuela's oil infrastructure with the help of U.S. companies.
The announcement comes just days after a dramatic U.S. military operation in which armed forces arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He is currently in custody in New York, facing charges of involvement in widespread drug crime. He and his wife pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York on Monday.
According to U.S. authorities, last Saturday's crackdown claimed about 75 victims, although the official number has not yet been released. The Venezuelan military confirmed that 23 of its members were killed in the attack, while Cuba reported the deaths of 32 of its military and intelligence personnel deployed in Venezuela.
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of mourning in honour of the fallen soldiers.
Warning to Maduro's allies
Meanwhile, the White House has confirmed that it will host the CEOs of major US oil companies such as ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and Chevron on Thursday. They will discuss investment in the renewal of Venezuela's oil infrastructure, which was taken over by the state during the reign of Hugo Chávez.
Trump also called on Venezuela's interim government to expel all foreign advisers and military experts from Russia, China, Cuba and Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented the list of demands in a classified meeting with congressional leaders on Monday. According to the New York Times, it is an effort to limit the influence of states that have long supported Maduro's regime.
There are tensions in the country, but the Venezuelan Government declares that the situation is stable. On Monday evening, gunfire was heard in the capital Caracas - the authorities later clarified that it was warning shots fired by the police to deter unauthorised drones.
At the same time, the US administration warned influential members of the Maduro regime that they would face consequences if they did not support the new transition plan. Among them is Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who has been identified as a possible target if he does not cooperate with Rodríguez.
A disgruntled opposition
The attack by the United States has provoked a strong reaction from abroad. Russia, China and other allies of Venezuela have condemned the operation as a violation of international law. On the other hand, US allies have called for maintaining stability in the region and respecting international norms.
While Venezuela's future remains uncertain, the Trump administration has indicated a willingness to work with some senior officials of the former Maduro regime. The President has stressed that the United States is not at war with Venezuela.
Because of the attack on the country and the removal of the President and his wife, the UN Security Council met on Monday.
Although the White House chief has made it clear that there will be no elections in Venezuela for the next 30 days, according to several sources, the CIA has identified Rodríguez and other officials as the most suitable partners to ensure stability in the country during the transition period. This has outraged the Venezuelan opposition, which had expected a more prominent role in the formation of the new government.
Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado expressed disappointment at America's attitude. In her view, the interim Venezuelan President has long been associated with the repressive practices of the Maduro regime and cannot be considered a credible partner in the transition to democracy.
In an interview with CBS News, Machado responded that the United States has apparently ordered Rodríguez to take steps to dismantle the criminal structure in the government to pave the way for a democratic transition.
(reuters, max)