Airlines Operating in Venezuela to Pay for Fuel Through U.S. Treasury Accounts

Airlines flying to Venezuela will now be required to pay for their fuel via U.S. Treasury accounts, according to two aviation sector sources who confirmed the development to AFP. This new directive is an addition to a series of financial measures implemented by Washington, which asserts control over Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro in January during a military operation. Petroleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa), the state-owned oil company, sent a letter to airlines on May 28th, notifying them of the bank details for fuel payments. The letter, signed by the director of sales for Pdvsa, includes information for transfers through Fedwire, a secure electronic payment system managed by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The document specifies that the U.S. government, through the State Department, may receive U.S. funds on behalf of Venezuela via Fedwire. One source from a major foreign airline operating in Venezuela confirmed the accuracy of this information, speaking anonymously due to a lack of authorization to comment publicly. Another airline source corroborated receiving the letter. This development comes as air travel to Venezuela has begun to reactivate in recent months after a period of isolation. The country had been cut off from air services due to unpaid debts to several international airlines. This isolation intensified in November following the closure of Venezuelan airspace during a U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean, which ultimately led to Maduro's capture. Since Maduro's fall and the interim presidency of Delcy Rodriguez, the United States has been controlling Venezuelan oil exports.