US Evaluates Oil Licenses in Venezuela, New Sanctions Expected

The Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere of the United States, Brian A. Nichols, revealed in an exclusive interview that oil licenses in Venezuela are being evaluated and changes could be announced soon.

Nichols indicated that the United States will take new measures against the Venezuelan regime, including imposing more sanctions. “We are going to impose more sanctions. A week ago we imposed 16 new sanctions and we are going to impose more,” he said.

Regarding the oil sector, Nichols stated that the US is evaluating it and expects to see some changes in the future. However, he also emphasized that not all the money generated by these licenses goes directly to the Venezuelan regime, as part is used to pay the debt that PDVSA has with these companies.

Nichols stressed the importance of using all available tools, not just sectoral sanctions. “I don’t want to go ahead with the measures we are going to take. It’s important, but we also have to use all the tools, not just sectoral sanctions,” he said.

On the topic of a possible judicial case against Nicolás Maduro and other members of the Venezuelan regime for human rights violations, Nichols recalled that there are already legal processes in the United States related to drug trafficking and the conspiracy against Maduro.

“We are following the process in Argentina with interest and there may be others in other countries,” he said. Moreover, he added that there had been human rights violations in Venezuela “very well documented by UN and OAS organizations.”