Venezuelan official calls U.S. sanctions easing insufficient and demands their full removal

Venezuela’s government says partial relief from U.S. sanctions is not enough. Hydrocarbons Minister Paula Henao renewed Caracas’ demand for the complete removal of international restrictions, arguing that the country needs broader access to investment and financing.

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We have been in a stage of opening up investment; some measures have been eased, but it is not enough.

Speaking to state broadcaster Venezolana de Televisión, Henao said some measures had been eased as part of an opening for investment in the oil and mining industries. “We have been in a stage of opening up investment; some measures have been eased, but it is not enough,” she said.

Her remarks came days after Caracas and Washington formalized an energy cooperation agreement. Henao said the administration led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez would continue diplomatic efforts to end the punitive measures, with the stated aim of improving the operating capacity of Venezuela’s national industry.

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We play a fundamental role.

Henao also emphasized Venezuela’s role in global energy markets. “We play a fundamental role” in the world’s energy balance, she said, describing the country as a reliable supplier whose resources are available to meet global demand. She called the assignment of the Carabobo 1 and Carabobo 2 blocks to Petroindependencia, a joint venture operated with Chevron, a “historic milestone.”

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We are precisely a guarantee of that energy balance and a supplier that is there, readily available, a reliable supplier that definitely places those resources at the world’s disposal to meet all demand.