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A diplomatic delegation from the United States traveled unexpectedly to Caracas to discuss alleged agreements between the two countries regarding oil supply.
Diplomatic relations between Caracas and Washington have been broken for over three years, since in 2019, Donald Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as president of Venezuela and intensified sanctions against the government of Nicolás Maduro.
The New York Times reported that the trip of the American diplomats on the night of this Saturday was scheduled at very short notice. It emphasized that this occurs amid the escalating tensions in the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
They pointed out that the agenda included the freedom of the six U.S. executives from Citgo, a subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, and a presumed interest from Washington in replacing part of the oil it imports from Russia with crude from PDVSA.
Another source that confirmed the alleged negotiations was journalist and presenter Trish Regan.
U.S. officials began meetings in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday night. The discussions were reported to be "going well." Both parties hope to resume a more normalized business environment. It could be significant… We may soon see a realigned and more unified Western Hemisphere," he said on Twitter.
The government of Nicolás Maduro, similar to that of Cuba and Nicaragua, has shown signs of support for Vladimir Putin in his decision to invade Ukraine.
"I held a telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, in which I reaffirmed Venezuela's condemnation of NATO's destabilizing actions. I reiterated our strong commitment to understanding and dialogue as a means to preserve peace," said Maduro on Twitter on March 1.
The position of Juan Guaidó is diametrically opposed to that of Maduro. In his statements as the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, he has emphasized his support for the government of Ukraine.
"The authoritarian threat is a reality; we cannot tolerate those who challenge the existence of nations. Our recognition goes to all of Ukraine and its President Volodimir Zelenski. Venezuela fights until it achieves democracy; only within it are there guarantees for life," he stated this Friday on Twitter.
The visit of U.S. diplomats to Caracas could mark a turning point in the current events of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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