Media: US demands Rodriguez to stop selling oil to American competitors

Politico, citing U.S. officials, reported that the Trump administration has asked Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez to take a series of measures in Washington's interest, including stopping the sale of oil to American competitors.

Politico cited Washington officials as saying: "The Trump administration has asked Venezuela's interim leader to take several actions that benefit the U.S., which her predecessor refused to implement. If she wants to avoid following in her predecessor's footsteps, she must do so. U.S. officials told Delcy Rodríguez that they want to see her take at least three measures - strengthening efforts to combat drug trafficking, expelling agents of countries or organizations hostile to Washington such as Iran and Cuba, and stopping the sale of oil to American competitors."

Other sources said that the U.S. also hopes Rodríguez will step down from politics after elections in Venezuela. The sources said the U.S. has not set a clear deadline for her.

On January 3, the U.S. launched a large-scale operation against Venezuela and arrested President Maduro and his wife Flores, taking them to New York. President Trump stated that Maduro and Flores would face judicial proceedings, citing their alleged connection to so-called "drug terrorism" and threats to countries including the U.S. Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty in a New York court.

Caracas requested the United Nations to hold an emergency meeting regarding the U.S. actions. Venezuela's Supreme Court announced that the vice president Rodríguez would temporarily assume the duties of head of state. On January 5, she officially became Venezuela's acting president and took the oath in the National Assembly.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed sympathy for the Venezuelan people, called for the release of Maduro and his wife, and urged to prevent further escalation of the situation. Beijing followed Moscow in calling for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, emphasizing that the U.S. action violated international law. The North Korean Foreign Ministry also criticized the U.S. action.

U.S. captures Venezuela's president

Original: toutiao.com/article/1853532646714368/

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