Caracas is ready to restore oil trade with the US provided it recognizes legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Felix Plasencia, has said Caracas would be ready to sell oil to the United States again, while remaining “loyal” to Moscow.
Plascenia told the Turkish Anadolu Agency on Saturday that it would not be a “strange relationship” for Washington and Caracas to work together on oil, as Venezuela had “been doing oil business with the Americans for a long time.”
The minister argued that it would “be good for everyone” if Venezuela’s energy exports to the US get “back on track,” adding that Americans were welcome in the country as long as they “respect the sovereignty” of Venezuela and recognize President Nicolas Maduro as “Venezuela’s only and legitimate head of government.”
This is a legitimate government. We are a sovereign state. To come to talk to us is to accept that. We must move towards a better understanding on this issue
Plascenia said that he hopes that US sanctions against Venezuela that targeted its oil sector would be lifted.
The minister stressed, however, that Venezuela would remain “loyal allies of the Russian government,” and said the country sees Russian President Vladimir Putin “as a responsible head of government.”
“We respect him as a member of the international community. We believe he will do the best for his people,” Plascenia concluded.
