São Paulo — United States President Donald Trump told reporters last week about a visit to Venezuela as the relationship between the countries “improves”.
The announcement came about a month after Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a US Special Forces operation and flown to New York.
“I’m going to make a visit to Venezuela soon”, said Trump without revealing details. When questioned about the timeframe of the visit he said that they “haven’t decided yet”.
The Republican president also mentioned that he has a “very good relationship” with Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, and that they have been working together.
“We have a very good relationship with the president of Venezuela. As you know we’re working together very closely”, he said.
When asked by a different reporter if the US would officially recognize the Rodriguez government, Trump replied that Washington is “dealing with them”, but, as for now, “she’s done a great job”.
Rodriguez used to be Maduro’s vice-president, and had previously worked as a foreign affairs minister. Since Maduro’s capture, Washington has been negotiating directly with her “provisional” administration.
“Taking out the oil”
Trump also addressed Venezuela’s oil sector. After Maduro’s capture, the US president made it clear that private American companies would profit from the world’s largest oil reservoir.
“We have our big oil companies going in, they are going to be taking out the oil and then selling the oil for a lot of money and then Venezuela is going to get a big part of that money”, he told journalists.
“And the relationship we have right now with Venezuela, I’d say a 10.”
The Office of Foreign Assets Control from the US Department of Treasury also shared Friday that the general licenses related to the oil and gas sector in Venezuela.
The companies BP PLC, Chevron, Eni, Repsol and Shell are so far the entities authorized to explore the commodity in the area.
Featured image: United States president Donald Trump. Credit: The White House
