popular articles

Tense negotiations between the United States and Venezuela on sanctions

As the expiry of a major oil sanctions license approaches, the US and Venezuela are negotiating intensively without reaching agreement on a renewal conditional on competitive presidential elections.

Please share:

As we approach the expiration of General License No. 44, discussions between the Venezuelan and US governments continue without any notable success. This license, essential for Venezuela’s oil and gas exports, is conditional on the holding of presidential elections deemed fair by the United States.

history and implications of the license

Initially issued on October 18 for a period of six months, the License No. 44 authorizes specific transactions with Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). It stems from an agreement signed in Barbados between Nicolás Maduro’s government and the Venezuelan opposition, aimed at organizing presidential elections in 2024 with the participation of all candidates, including those previously disqualified, and the release of political prisoners.

Recent developments and accusations

According to Nicolás Maduro, in addition to the initial meeting in Barbados, nine other meetings were held to discuss the terms of the agreement-six in Qatar and three in Milan, mediated by the Emir of Qatar. Maduro asserts that the United States has not honored its commitments under the agreement, a claim he reiterated in recent exchanges in Mexico City with U.S. officials.

Exchanged and political consequences

Political tensions are exacerbated by the disqualification of Maria Corina Machado, the main opposition candidate, for the July elections. Her designated replacement, Professor Corina Yoris, was also refused registration. The Venezuelan opposition continues to seek a single candidate to challenge Maduro, without success to date.

International reactions and the future

Matthew Miller, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said the U.S. could reimpose sanctions if the Maduro government does not fully comply with the Barbados agreements, particularly with regard to the electoral timetable and international observer missions. However, he also noted that Maduro had hindered the participation of opposition candidates, an action taken very seriously by Washington.

The ongoing negotiations between Venezuela and the United States are a watershed moment for energy policy and international relations, with potentially significant impacts on regional stability and global energy markets.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Russia positions itself as an active supporter of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, advocating for a balanced legal framework in line with international law.
The French president hosts Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Paris to finalise economic agreements amid geopolitical rivalries over Central Asian gas resources.
The French president hosts Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Paris to finalise economic agreements amid geopolitical rivalries over Central Asian gas resources.
Indonesia and Japan are strengthening their energy partnership through several strategic projects, notably within the JETP and AZEC initiatives, aiming to sustainably structure Indonesia’s energy mix and support its infrastructure.
Indonesia and Japan are strengthening their energy partnership through several strategic projects, notably within the JETP and AZEC initiatives, aiming to sustainably structure Indonesia’s energy mix and support its infrastructure.
Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are investing in submarine interconnections to export their renewable electricity to European markets amid growing energy demand.
Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are investing in submarine interconnections to export their renewable electricity to European markets amid growing energy demand.
Iran responded to threats of sanctions from the United States and France, denouncing what it sees as illegitimate political pressure and reaffirming its stance on the legality of its oil exports.
The United States and Ukraine have established a joint fund to exploit Ukrainian natural resources, under a bilateral agreement with no explicit military commitments.
The United States and Ukraine have established a joint fund to exploit Ukrainian natural resources, under a bilateral agreement with no explicit military commitments.
The United States and Ukraine have signed a bilateral agreement establishing an investment fund aimed at financing reconstruction and natural resource extraction projects on Ukrainian territory.
The United States and Ukraine have signed a bilateral agreement establishing an investment fund aimed at financing reconstruction and natural resource extraction projects on Ukrainian territory.
Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the Canadian elections, will quickly have to manage delicate negotiations with the United States, a major trading partner, amid tariff uncertainties and American economic isolation.
Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the Canadian elections, will quickly have to manage delicate negotiations with the United States, a major trading partner, amid tariff uncertainties and American economic isolation.
Russia and Iran anticipate a sharp acceleration in their trade relations with the entry into force of their free trade agreement in May, covering oil, gas and civil nuclear cooperation.
During President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to China, six agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Chinese partners to develop green energy projects, including solar power plants, an offshore wind farm, and energy storage systems.
During President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to China, six agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Chinese partners to develop green energy projects, including solar power plants, an offshore wind farm, and energy storage systems.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
As nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States continue, European countries find themselves sidelined, despite their central role in the 2015 agreement.
As nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States continue, European countries find themselves sidelined, despite their central role in the 2015 agreement.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
The Kremlin has confirmed its willingness to actively support a diplomatic resolution on Iran’s nuclear file, ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for this Saturday.
The Kremlin has confirmed its willingness to actively support a diplomatic resolution on Iran’s nuclear file, ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for this Saturday.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
Russia’s State Duma officially approves a major energy partnership with Iran, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the oil, natural gas, and civil nuclear sectors, despite ongoing Western sanctions.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.

Advertising