The war between Russia and Ukraine seemed to bring setbacks to Venezuela, because it is an ally of Moscow. But, on the contrary, there are possibilities not only economic but also to enter the international scene again. The striking: Nicolás Maduro begins to regain relevance as an interlocutor.
(Also read: Venezuela, a possible substitute for Russia in the US oil market?)
Already in September 2021, many were amazed to see the Venezuelan president at the meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). It had been a long time since he left the country due to US sanctions, a country that he also asks $15,000,000 for his capturebut, it has been the United States that has finalized a rapprochement with Caracas.
This Saturday, March 5, it became known through a newspaper publication New York Timesthat a US delegation had arrived in the Venezuelan capital in search of what would be an important agreement: oil.
Hours later, it was learned that Juan González, adviser to the White House, together with James Story, ambassador of that country to Venezuela, but who lives in Colombia, met with Nicolás Maduro and his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, at the Miraflores Palace.
It may interest you: The recipe behind Venezuela’s jump to economic recovery
The United States, according to press reports, would be requesting elections with conditions and restoration of democracy, in addition to a condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in exchange for oil trade agreements that would include investment in the field.
This is because the Joe Biden administration, by applying sanctions, cut the importation of Russian hydrocarbon what is generating an energy crisis in North America and also puts other Western countries to which Russia sold oil in the same situation.
In this way, the conflict in Ukraine seems to be a unique opportunity to return to Maduro his role as the only interlocutor at the international leveldisplacing Juan Guaidó, but also, it gives Venezuela the opportunity to re-enter the market.
How is the relationship with Vladimir Putin?
Until now, the Venezuelan government has refused to accept the US conditions, although there was talk of a possible release of the directors of CITGO, imprisoned in the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (Sebin). EL TIEMPO spoke with one of the relatives of the detainees and assured that they have not been told anything about it.
It may interest you:Nicolás Maduro ratifies “firm support” for Russia in conversation with Putin
Although it is said that no agreements were reached, for Rommer Ytriago, a political scientist and specialist in international law, the simple fact that the meeting took place is already a first agreement, because “it is to recognize Maduro, that made him count.” .
For Ytriago, the US is not in a position to demand “when it is a promoter of the conflict” between Russia and Ukraine and “foreign policy strategies have gone very wrong”, for which it is interested in helping Western partners that Russia supplied resources. “It’s not that Venezuela is going to supply it in its entirety, but recovery can come from a foreign source,” says Ytriago, referring to oil production that, if an agreement is reached, could be above one million barrels per day.
Given this scenario, which is being talked about, Caracas-Washington talks will resume in about two weeks, the figure that is chosen is that of Juan Guaidó.
“Guaidó has no interference in Venezuela and the international community is looking for the driving force and it is the Maduro regime,” political scientist Leandro Rodríguez tells this newspaper.
For Rodríguez, Venezuela is the first option for the West to solve the lack of supply of Russian oil, also because investing in Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) would be faster. In these first changes, the Guaidó government “has been left out of the picture,” says the political scientist.
Also read: Pacho Santos demands that Duque protest the appointment USA – Maduro
The Chavismo has a “golden” opportunity to turn the country into an energy power although it is not an easy task, but we must also be cautious, because Venezuela is still an ally of Russia and would be in danger of more sanctions, in addition to separating from its ally does not give it a guarantee of staying in power, says Rodríguez.
The landscape is complex. Venezuela has a large part of its money in the sanctioned Russian banks, PDVSA’s main office for Europe is in Moscow, but the United States, in turn, makes attractive offers with which it could even meet its quotas in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec). It has also come out of the cycle of hyperinflation and is beginning to improve economically.
Nicolás Maduro is shown as the necessary interlocutor with whom the United States has decided to sit down without even informing Juan Guaidó – but on the day of the meeting.
The interim government through a communication has said that “President Guaidó and the Government in Charge will provide more information on the meeting held with said delegation, after completing coordination work with the Government of the United States, attending to reasons of interest and national security of our ally”.
ANA RODRIGUEZ BRAZON
WEATHER CORRESPONDENT
CARACAS
More news
US has ‘credible’ information on Russian war crimes
EU agrees to start Ukraine’s accession process
#Maduro #returns #international #scene #due #war #Ukraine