Venezuela and the United States recently resumed bilateral talks in a tense context marked by US sanctions on the Venezuelan oil sector. Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuela’s chief negotiator and president of the National Assembly, announced on the X platform that the two countries were determined to “gain trust and improve relations” through respectful and constructive communication.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro surprised many by announcing the resumption of talks less than a month before the July 28 presidential election. This move is part of a series of discreet negotiations begun last year in Qatar.
During these preliminary discussions, a significant agreement was reached on the exchange of prisoners: the United States released Alex Saab, close to Maduro, in exchange for 28 prisoners, including 10 Americans and 18 Venezuelans. In return, the United States had temporarily eased the oil embargo imposed since 2019.
However, relations deteriorated again last April when Washington reimposed sanctions following the ineligibility of opposition figure Maria Corina Machado for the presidential election. This decision was seen by Caracas as an attempt to control and manipulate the Venezuelan oil industry.
Despite these obstacles, Nicolas Maduro remains optimistic, advocating “dialogue, understanding and a future for our relations” based on sovereignty and absolute independence. This statement underlines Venezuela’s determination to pursue a path of dialogue, despite ongoing tensions with the United States.
The road to full normalization of relations seems fraught with difficulties, but the resumption of talks shows an openness to collaboration. The coming months will be crucial for observing the evolution of this dynamic and its potential impact on the global energy sector.
United States and Venezuela resume dialogue despite sanctions
Venezuela and the United States have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations after virtual talks, despite persistent US sanctions on the oil sector.
Share:
Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop
Annual subscription
8.25$/month*
*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year
Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice
OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS
Monthly subscription
Unlimited access • Archives included
5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter
FREE ACCOUNT
3 articles offered per month
FREE
*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status
Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week
- Popular on energynews.pro
An emergency meeting led by the European Commission gathers key sectors affected by China's export restrictions on rare earths, ahead of a briefing at the European Parliament.
Manila plans to expand gas and renewable energy production to meet a 6.6% increase in electricity demand over the next two years.
Ottawa and London increased bilateral exchanges to structure strategic cooperation on nuclear energy and critical minerals supply chains, as part of Canada’s G7 presidency.
Donald Trump says he secured Narendra Modi’s commitment to end Russian oil imports, adding political pressure to India-Russia trade relations.
Under intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, member states of the International Maritime Organization agreed to postpone by one year the adoption of a carbon pricing mechanism for global maritime transport.
Washington confirms it has mandated the CIA to carry out secret actions against Nicolas Maduro’s government, escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela amid geostrategic and energy stakes.
Two European Parliament committees propose to advance the full halt of Russian hydrocarbon imports to 2026 and 2027, including oil, gas, and LNG, strengthening the European Union’s geopolitical position.
The COP30 conference hosted in the Amazon by Brazil faces low participation from global leaders, amid geopolitical tensions and major logistical challenges.
The United States has granted Trinidad and Tobago a special licence to resume negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon gas field, partially lifting restrictions imposed on the Venezuelan energy sector.
Ambassadors of European Union member states have approved the transmission of a legislative proposal to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by January 2028 to the Council of Ministers.
The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.
Al-Harfi and SCLCO signed agreements with Syrian authorities to develop solar and wind capacity, amid an ongoing energy rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visits Greenland to expand energy ties with the European Union, amid plans to double EU funding for the 2028–2034 period.
European and Iranian foreign ministers meet in New York to try to prevent the reinstatement of UN sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a bilateral agreement with Mexico including targeted investments in energy corridors, logistics infrastructure and cross-border security.
The US president has called for an immediate end to Russian oil imports by NATO countries, denouncing a strategic contradiction as sanctions against Moscow are being considered.
