Nicolás Maduro stated that U.S. revocation of Chevron’s oil license disrupted deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants. This has led to internal discord within the Trump administration regarding Venezuela’s policy. Loss of Chevron operations will significantly impact Venezuela’s economy, while Maduro’s governance faces criticism amidst the crisis.
Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, recently stated that the U.S. decision to revoke Chevron’s oil license has disrupted scheduled deportation flights. These flights were intended to return Venezuelan migrants detained in the U.S., reflecting a prior goodwill gesture towards the Trump administration. Maduro expressed, “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.”
Following the revocation of Chevron’s operating license, Venezuela privately informed the U.S. that it would cease accepting deportation flights. This situation has reportedly created internal discord within the Trump administration, where some allies advocated a more pragmatic approach, while others favored stricter measures against Maduro. The program to return Venezuelan migrants had been a crucial aspect of the Trump administration’s broader deportation strategy, as many unauthorized migrants in the U.S. are of Venezuelan origin and the country had previously resisted accepting them back.
The Trump administration justified Chevron’s expulsion, citing Venezuela’s failure to fulfill electoral commitments and a slowdown in the deportation schedule. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced Chevron for “shamefully bankrolling the illegitimate Maduro regime,” asserting that the decision would apply necessary economic pressure on Venezuela. Three Republican lawmakers, identified as Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Gimenez, and Maria Elvira Salazar, played a significant role in influencing this decision. It was reported that they leveraged their votes for the GOP’s budget deal to push for the revocation, causing President Trump to remark, “They’re going crazy and I need their votes.”
Chevron’s operations, accounting for around 250,000 barrels per day of oil production, are anticipated to result in losses exceeding $3 billion annually for Venezuela, further exacerbating inflation in the country. While Maduro condemned the decision, he avoided direct criticism of U.S. officials, stating, “If it were up to me, Chevron would stay 100 more years,” positioning his government’s stance against imperialism rather than as anti-American.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa condemned Maduro’s recent actions, describing his demeanor as indicative of a “complete lack of empathy” and asserting that such behavior is characteristic of authoritarian regimes that neglect the predicaments caused by their own policies.
In summary, Nicolás Maduro revealed that the U.S. revocation of Chevron’s oil license has disrupted Venezuelan deportation flights, which were previously part of a fragile goodwill arrangement. This shift has ignited internal conflicts within the Trump administration, indicating differing opinions on policy towards Venezuela. The suspension of Chevron’s operations poses significant economic ramifications for Venezuela, further burdening its already struggling economy. Furthermore, both domestic and international officials continue to criticize Maduro’s governance as exacerbating the crisis.
Original Source: www.latintimes.com
