Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro contends that the U.S. withdrawal of Chevron’s oil license has disrupted deportation flights for Venezuelans. He expressed concerns about the communication breakdown affecting migrant returns. The Trump administration’s decision reflects internal divisions over its approach to Maduro’s regime, while the economic fallout raises alarms about Venezuela’s crisis.
Nicolás Maduro, the authoritarian leader of Venezuela, stated that the U.S. decision to revoke Chevron’s oil license has disrupted deportation flights for Venezuelans from the United States. He expressed concern over the impact of this action on a program designed to return detained Venezuelans, viewing it initially as a gesture of goodwill toward the Trump administration.
Maduro remarked on the communication issues that ensued from the U.S. decision, saying, “Now, we have a little problem because what they did has damaged the communications we had opened. And that affected the trips we had already scheduled with our planes to bring our migrant brothers back and give them a loving embrace when they arrive in their homeland. I wanted to bring them all back.” This pause on deportation flights comes after the Wall Street Journal reported Venezuela’s warning to the U.S. regarding the cessation of these flights.
The situation reflects a division within the Trump administration regarding the approach to Maduro’s regime. Some allies advocated for granting American businesses the ability to operate in Venezuela, while others recommended stricter isolation strategies. The plan for repatriating Venezuelan migrants was significant, as this group constitutes a considerable number of unauthorized migrants in the United States who have historically faced deportation resistance from their home country.
The justification for Chevron’s expulsion by the Trump administration revolved around Venezuela’s failure in electoral responsibilities and a deceleration of the deportation initiative. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chevron has been financially supporting what he termed the “illegitimate Maduro regime,” asserting that the license revocation would bring economic strain to Venezuela.
Reportedly, three Republican lawmakers significantly influenced the license revocation. They indicated their opposition to the budget deal unless action was taken against Maduro, prompting Trump to address the issue once the agreement was finalized.
The cessation of Chevron’s operations, which had a production capacity nearing 250,000 barrels per day, threatens to strip Venezuela of over $3 billion in yearly revenue and exacerbate its inflation problem. Despite his disapproval of the decision, Maduro refrained from openly criticizing U.S. officials, stating he would prefer Chevron to remain indefinitely and viewing his government’s approach as a stand against imperialism rather than impugning the U.S.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa commented on Maduro’s situation, condemning his perceptions of empathy and declaring that such authoritarian approaches display a disregard for the suffering caused by the regime itself. He underscored that this lack of concern is characteristic of extremist regimes, highlighting the negative implications of Maduro’s governance.
In summary, President Maduro has made clear that the U.S. revocation of Chevron’s oil license is impacting deportation flights for Venezuelans, indicating communication disruptions that affect repatriation efforts. The decision reflects internal conflicts within the Trump administration regarding Venezuela, aiming to increase economic pressure while negotiating deportation policies. The resultant loss of oil revenue could further harm Venezuela’s already struggling economy, amidst criticism from regional leadership.
Original Source: www.latintimes.com
