A report indicates that Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Gimenez, and Maria Elvira Salazar persuaded President Trump to revoke Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela, threatening to withdraw support on a budget deal. Trump responded to their demands, igniting controversy over the implications of such sanctions on Venezuela’s economy and U.S.-Venezuela relations.
Three Republican representatives, Mario Diaz-Balart, Carlos Gimenez, and Maria Elvira Salazar, significantly influenced President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke Chevron’s operating license in Venezuela. According to Axios, this trio, all of Cuban descent, suggested to Trump that they might withhold their support on a GOP budget deal unless action was taken against Chevron, a threat that Trump took seriously as he sought their votes.
In discussing the issue, Trump reportedly remarked, “They’re going crazy and I need their votes,” highlighting the urgency of their demands. Following the completion of the budget deal, Trump announced Chevron would be required to cease operations by April 3, as reported by Bloomberg. Chevron’s operations in Venezuela have been crucial, accounting for approximately 20% of its overall oil output, although critics argue that such operations support an authoritarian regime.
House Speaker Mike Johnson later referred to the representatives as the “three Crazy Cubans” during a gathering, commending them for their principled stand which benefitted their community. Both Gimenez and Diaz-Balart responded humorously to the moniker, emphasizing their collective impact on the situation.
Trump attributed his decision to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s failure to uphold electoral reforms and to repatriate Venezuelan migrants, stating, “We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro…” He also emphasized that Maduro had not returned violent criminals to the U.S. as previously agreed.
In response to the sanctions, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez criticized the U.S. decision to impose sanctions on Chevron, calling it “damaging and inexplicable.” She claimed it not only harms the Venezuelan people but also affects American interests and raises concerns about the legal security surrounding U.S. international investments.
In conclusion, the revocation of Chevron’s license in Venezuela highlights the strong influence of three Cuban-American Republican representatives who leveraged their political power to achieve this decision from President Trump. The implications of this action may negatively affect both Venezuela’s economy and U.S. interests, raising significant questions regarding U.S. foreign policy and its impact on international business practices.
Original Source: www.latintimes.com
