Tillerson says US considers Venezuela oil sale restrictions

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Tillerson says US considers Venezuela oil sale restrictions

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO
Yesterday

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday that the U.S. is still considering restricting the sale of oil from crisis-torn Venezuela.

Tillerson said in Argentina’s capital that the U.S. wants “free, fair, and verifiable elections” in Venezuela, and wants to apply enough pressure to end the crisis in the South American country. The government there has faced widespread criticism over its decision to push up presidential elections under conditions that opponents say overwhelmingly favor President Nicolas Maduro.

But Tillerson also said that he wants to find ways to mitigate the negative effect sanctions would have on U.S. oil companies, Venezuelans and other regional countries that rely on Venezuelan oil.

“The situation is becoming quite dire in Venezuela, so one of the aspects of considering sanctioning oil is what effect would it have on the Venezuelan people, and is it a step that might bring this to an end, to a more rapid end,” Tillerson said. “Not doing anything to bring this to an end is also asking the Venezuelan people to suffer for a much longer time.”

Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest oil reserves and is the third-largest supplier to the U.S. The U.S. oil industry says that a ban on petroleum imports from Venezuela would hurt U.S. jobs and drive up gasoline costs.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/061146450ec44acaa617c24e26b0b67d/Tillerson-says-US-considers-Venezuela-oil-sale-restrictions

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Hold on a minute...

Nobody denies Maduro is scum, but what has he done to us or anyone else to deserve sanctions? Horrible governments exist around the world, but sanctions are not the answer for most of them.

Its oil reserves are one of the few things its got going for it, even if Maduro has no idea how to handle them. Restricting US imports will just lead to further deprivation of its people and black markets for its oil.

[GatoGordo]

3. The sanctions currently prohibit US citizens from refinancing PdVSA debt

And prohibit US citizens from dealing with approximately 40 Chavista officials.

That is the limit of the current sanctions. No debt refinancing and no dealing with Chavismo officials. Venezuela still sells oil to the US (Citgo, in Houston) where it is refined. In regards to debt refinancing, it is meaningless, because they have missed their debt obligations and couldn't get a loan from a payday lender these days.

Tillerson and Trump are morons. The ONLY thing the US needs to do is nothing more than it has already done. Chavismo is collapsing due to its own incompetence. If Venezuelans are suffering it isn't because of the United States. And a cursory look at what is going on will lead anyone to acknowledge that they are suffering.

[TomSlick]

2. Wait, wait, wait....

So we're lecturing Venezuela about its elections.

[GatoGordo]

4. Despite our failings as a democracy

Our Supreme Court hasn't prohibited elected officials from being seated, our FBI hasn't jailed Bernie and Hillary without charges in a military torture facility, nor has our Congress prevented every opposition party from participating in elections. And Trump hasn't called a Constitutional Assembly to re-write the Constitutional unilaterally with only Republicans as members.

[TomSlick]

5. All true.

But Trump admires strongmen like Maduro.

The Supreme Court HAS prohibited elected officials from being seated. Remember Al Gore?

The FBI hasn't jailed Bernie and Hillary - yet.

Trump supporters ARE calling for a constitutional convention.

Just how secure are you feeling?

[GatoGordo]

6. I'm no fan of Trump

But hyperbole doesn't help

[TomSlick]

7. What hyperbole?

Which statement was not factual?

The only difference between Trump and Maduro is that our institutions are not as easily beaten down. There is, however, a substantial danger to the Republic. If Trump has his way, Hillary will end-up in jail and there will never be another election.