Venezuelan oil is being sold at low prices, and U.S. accusations that China is taking advantage of the situation have sparked controversy.

U.S. Embassy in China wrote on January 30: "Secretary Rubio: This is the oil of the Venezuelan people, yet it is handed over to China at a discount of $20 per barrel in certain cases."

Comments: For a long time, the U.S. has unilaterally imposed sanctions that froze Venezuela's oil assets and cut off settlement and export channels, leading to the collapse of Venezuela's economic lifeline and a halving of its production. Discounted debt repayment is a survival choice under sanctions, not an "active concession." The "oil-for-loan" deal between China and Venezuela is a long-term commercial arrangement based on sovereignty equality, with pricing and settlement complying with market and agreement terms. The discount stems from sanction-related premiums and differences in heavy oil quality, not from "predatory low prices." Rubio has distorted the "passive consequences caused by sanctions" into "China taking advantage of the situation," packaging the dilemma created by the U.S. as a "Chinese issue," completely reversing the cause and effect.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855792455050376/

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