WASHINGTON: Informed sources have revealed that U.S. officials have made four key demands from Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela. According to Politico, the demands include conducting free elections, stepping down from power, halting oil sales to U.S. rivals, expelling agents of hostile countries, and increasing oversight over drug trafficking. Simultaneously, the Trump administration has begun initial official contacts with executives from oil companies to encourage them to return and revive oil production in Venezuela. However, these companies are hesitant to enter a country with a socialist regime and ongoing political instability. The U.S. government is exploring incentives such as guaranteed contracts and public-private partnerships to gain the confidence of these companies. In response, Rodríguez has denied any contact with Washington and stated that there has been no communication between the two sides since last October. Opposition leader María Corina Machado has also emphasized that Venezuela can become the “energy hub of the Americas” and has expressed gratitude for Trump’s actions in arresting Maduro. Maduro is currently being held in a prison in Brooklyn and faces four charges related to drug trafficking and possession of automatic weapons.
