U.S. President Donald Trump made striking remarks regarding Venezuela during a speech in Highlands Heights, Kentucky, as part of his midterm election campaign. Trump stated that the U.S. is obtaining "hundreds of billions of dollars" from Venezuela.
Addressing rising fuel prices in the U.S. during his speech, Trump claimed that gasoline prices would fall once the process regarding Iran concludes. Pointing to Venezuela, Trump said, "Do you know how much money we are taking out of Venezuela? We are taking out hundreds of billions of dollars from Venezuela."
In the same speech, Trump remarked, "Add Greenland, Venezuela, Iran, job opportunities, everything; in less than two years, our country has never experienced a two-year period like this in its history."
Venezuela has been going through an extraordinary political process following the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a U.S.-led attack on January 3. It is noted that the administration of Delcy Rodriguez, who took over the country, is playing a role that increases Washington's military, political, and economic influence.
It was reported that with an agreement reached between Washington and Caracas in August, a large portion of Venezuela's proven oil reserves of more than 65 billion barrels came under U.S. control. The agreement was announced under the title of "rebuilding" the hydrocarbon industry.
Even before the agreement in question, it had been reported that the U.S. had generated over 13 billion dollars in revenue from Venezuelan oil sales between the beginning of the year and July. Trump's latest statement has reignited debates regarding Washington's economic interests in Venezuela.
News Source: 12punto
