The licence allowing the US oil company Chevron to operate in Venezuela will expire as scheduled on 27 May, the US State Department confirmed on Thursday, contradicting a high-ranking official who had hinted at an extension following the release of an American citizen by Caracas.
On 26 February, Donald Trump revoked Chevron’s licence in an effort to economically stifle Venezuela through extensive sanctions.
However, Richard Grenell, the President’s envoy for special missions, who negotiated the release of a former US military member detained in Venezuela on Tuesday, suggested that Trump would allow an extension if they were able to make progress and establish some trust.
“We were able to do that. Therefore, this extension will be granted,” Grenell said during an interview with pro-Trump media personality Steve Bannon.
Grenell mentioned meeting Venezuelan officials in the Caribbean island of Antigua.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Trump’s national security adviser, quickly took to X on Wednesday night, stating that “the pro-Maduro Biden oil licence in Venezuela will expire as scheduled next Tuesday, 27 May.”
When asked about these conflicting messages, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce confirmed on Thursday that Rubio had made it clear that the licence “will expire.”
Ten months after President Nicolas Maduro’s contested re-election in July 2024, the Venezuelan government is organising legislative and regional elections on Sunday. The polls are being boycotted by a significant portion of the opposition.
