Biden pushes Chevron to pump more oil in Venezuela

The New York Times reports that the license covers a "limited expansion of energy operations" for Chevron." As The Post Millennial has reported, the former Trump White House had recognized Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president against Maduro in a 2019 election, while also ushering sanctions against Venezuelan oil.

According to Axios, Maduro's regime had recently resumed talks with his opposition party, the Unitary Platform, as pressure mounts for the country to implement more humanitarian efforts in the wake of its years of oppression. The two had paused negotiations for over a year.

The Treasury Department said, "The announcements by the Unitary Platform and the Maduro regime are important steps in the right direction to restore democracy in the country." They also said the country has a "long way" to go before it can attain those goals and claimed the new license was a result of the two sides reaching an agreement, although the two sides have only agreed to resume speaking.

The talks between Maduro and his opposition resume in Mexico City, Mexico.

A US official said Biden granted the license to help push Democracy in Venezuela, and not because Chevron pumping oil in the country could reduce high energy costs in America.

Biden signaled back in the spring that he was going to ease oil sanctions in Venezuela. A number of Americans, including three former US service members, are currently detained in the socialist country, and the Biden administration has not addressed their return as part of their negotiations.

Nicolás Maduro, leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, has been president of the country for over a decade and has overseen the country's economic collapse. The license comes as Maduro is seeking an opportunity to bolster an economy decimated by authoritarian policies.

The Biden White House has opened up channels with Venezuela, as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia, as a means to quietly reduce high energy costs.