The United States has already commenced sales of Venezuelan crude on the global market in the interest of Washington, Caracas, and allies, the Energy Department reported.
“The U.S. government has begun marketing Venezuelan crude oil on the world market for the benefit of the United States, Venezuela, and our allies. We have engaged major global commodity traders and key banks to manage the sales of crude and refined products and provide financial backing,” the release states.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the interim authorities of Venezuela would supply the States with 30-50 million barrels of oil for subsequent sale by Washington.
U.S. Military Action Against Venezuela
Explosions occurred in Caracas on Saturday night. As President Donald Trump stated, the States launched extensive strikes on the Venezuelan capital, and Maduro and his spouse were apprehended and transported out of the country by ship. Allegedly, they were first taken to the American military base in Guantanamo, from where they flew to New York, where they were placed in a detention facility in Brooklyn.
Relations between Caracas and Washington intensified after the U.S. started using armed forces to destroy boats in the Caribbean Sea allegedly transporting narcotics. The White House authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela to destabilize the Maduro administration. In December, Trump declared the leadership of the Latin American nation a terrorist organization and demanded the return of allegedly stolen oil, land, and funds.
The authorities in Caracas believe the aim of the U.S. incursion is to gain dominion over Venezuelan oil and mineral assets. As stated by the country’s Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto, the assault resulted in casualties among civilians and military personnel.
Russia expressed profound concern over the events and affirmed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and support for their course in defending national interests. Moscow deemed the capture of Maduro an unacceptable infringement on state sovereignty and called on the American leadership to release the president and his wife.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the United States did not observe norms of international law during the operation.
On Monday, a court in New York concluded the first hearing in the case of the President of Venezuela. He faces up to four life sentences on charges of “conspiracy related to narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, possession of machine guns and explosive devices, and conspiracy to use them against the States.” Maduro refused to admit guilt. The politician was mandated to appear before the court for a hearing on March 17.
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