Reuters: US Plans Large-Scale Removal of Sanctions

January 10, Reuters reported that the US is planning a large-scale removal of sanctions against Venezuela. The US government is considering easing sanctions on Venezuela, which is linked to restoring Venezuela's oil supply and initiating an international financial mechanism to support the country's economy.

Sanctions May Be Lifted

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that additional restrictions on Venezuela could be lifted as early as next week.

He pointed out that the measures are aimed at facilitating the sale of Venezuelan oil and promoting the return of oil export revenues to the country.

The US Treasury is studying adjustment plans to enable the repatriation of sales revenue previously mainly held on tankers back to Venezuela.

Bessent commented on the sanction adjustment plan, saying, "We will lift the sanctions imposed on the oil that is about to be sold."

Accessing IMF Financial Support

The US has focused on the frozen Special Drawing Rights (SDR) of Venezuela in the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The nearly $5 billion in funds currently inaccessible to Caracas may be used for the country's economic recovery.

The US holds key voting rights in the IMF and the World Bank, and is prepared to push for the conversion of these funds into tradable currency.

The Role of International Institutions

Bessent stated that the IMF and the World Bank have initiated relevant contacts regarding Venezuela.

Notably, the IMF has been cut off from cooperation with Venezuela for over 20 years, with the last assessment of its economic situation taking place in 2004; the World Bank ceased lending to Venezuela in 2007.

Petroleum Companies May Return to Venezuela

The US Treasury expects that although major petroleum companies are cautious, small private petroleum companies are likely to quickly return to the Venezuelan oil sector.

Bessent said, "I think the industry trend will be like this — private companies are flexible and can quickly enter the market."

He also emphasized that Chevron will continue to operate in Venezuela, and the US Export-Import Bank may participate in related financing guarantees.

According to previous reports, Trump stated that the US is willing to facilitate the export of Venezuelan oil to Russia and China, and emphasized that the US takes an open attitude toward such transactions.

Additionally, Trump announced that he had decided to cancel the "second round of strikes" against Venezuela. He explained that this was because Caracas showed willingness to engage in constructive cooperation with the US, especially in the oil sector and the issue of political prisoners — Venezuela has agreed to release several political prisoners as a signal of its willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue.

US Troops Capture the President of Venezuela

Original: toutiao.com/article/1853978316380172/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.