U.S. grants Chevron license to pump oil in Venezuela
Washington PostNov 26, 2022
US Allows Chevron To Pump Oil In Venezuela
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Image copyright: Getty Images [via The Wall Street Journal]
The Facts
On Saturday, the US Dept. of the Treasury granted Chevron Corp. a six-month license authorizing the US company to resume oil extraction and exports from its oil fields under joint ventures with Venezuela's state-owned company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA). The license prevents PdVSA from receiving profits from Chevron's oil sales.
The relaxation of oil sanctions represents a departure from the Trump-era policies against Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro. Since 2019, Chevron was allowed to maintain its assets in Venezuela but not to export crude oil or expand operations in the country with the world's largest known oil reserves.
The Spin
Republican narrative
It's a bad policy for the Biden admin. to allow other companies to pump oil in Venezuela amid its efforts to push the US oil industry offshore. Domestic shale oil is much more environmentally friendly than heavy Venezuelan crude oil, yet Washington prefers to favor an authoritarian regime over allowing new drilling leases in the US.
Democratic narrative
While solving Venezuela's complex crisis still requires a lot of effort, recent developments show that all parties are finally moving in the right direction. Allowing Chevron to resume pumping oil in Venezuela isn't related to soaring energy prices as the US is focused on restoring democracy — this is why the US can revoke it if Maduro breaks his commitments.
