'Justification for Resolving Oil and Immigration Issues'... US Oil Industry Demands Trump to Deal with Maduro

'Opportunity to Lower Energy Prices and Reduce Immigrants' Proposed
'Vote Manipulation' Maduro Also Expresses Willingness for Reconciliation

The U.S. oil industry is lobbying President-elect Donald Trump to resume dealings with Venezuelan President Nicol?s Maduro, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 28th (local time).

According to the report, the oil industry is requesting the Trump administration to withdraw the strong sanctions imposed on President Maduro during Trump's first term, which were based on allegations of election fraud, and to secure cheap energy and reduce Venezuelan immigrants by resuming imports of Venezuelan oil.

The lobbying effort is being led by oil industry figures such as Harry Sargent III, a major Republican donor and energy businessman, along with bond investors.

Global Oil Terminals, a Florida-based energy company founded by Sargent III, recently imported Venezuelan asphalt through the Port of Palm Beach, near Trump’s residence. This marks the first such import since the oil sanctions imposed on Venezuela during Trump’s first administration. This was made possible because the Biden administration allowed some U.S. companies to resume trade with Venezuela.

Harry Sargent IV, the founder’s son, stated, "Resuming imports of Venezuela’s high-quality, low-cost asphalt to the U.S. benefits American taxpayers," and pointed out that "sanctions caused Venezuelan oil to flow to China, aiding the Chinese economy." He argued that trading with Venezuela could help counter the influence of adversarial countries like China and Russia.

In fact, China and Russia have strengthened their economic foothold in oil-rich Venezuela during the period of U.S. sanctions. Some economists and former diplomats have noted that U.S. economic sanctions not only failed to topple the Maduro regime but also worsened Venezuela’s economy and accelerated overseas migration.

President Maduro declared victory in the July election this year, but the Biden administration has not recognized it, citing vote fraud. If President-elect Trump cooperates with Maduro, the goal of restoring democracy in the U.S. is likely to be deprioritized.

Within Venezuela, there is speculation that if the Maduro regime supplies oil to the U.S., it might accept deportation flights of illegal immigrants from the U.S. This issue was a point of negotiation between the Biden administration and the Maduro regime but ended in failure. It could aid Trump’s policy of deporting illegal immigrants.

President Maduro has publicly expressed willingness to improve relations with President-elect Trump. In a recent TV speech, he said, "Relations were not good during Trump’s first term, but now it is a new beginning. Let us pursue mutual benefits."

However, the WSJ forecasted that considering the key personnel appointments in Trump’s second administration, significant changes in Venezuela policy are unlikely. Trump has nominated Senator Marco Rubio, who has advocated a tough stance against the Maduro regime and authoritarian governments in Latin America, as Secretary of State.

Additionally, Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously supported the Venezuelan opposition and helped defeat President Maduro, while Mike Waltz, the nominee for National Security Advisor, was instrumental in passing legislation banning new deals with Venezuela.