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US sees 'negative signals' from Venezuela as sanctions loom

The United States is seeing some negative signals regarding Venezuela's commitment to free elections that might imply licenses granted to its oil industry might not be extended, a U.S. State Department official stated on Tuesday.

Washington in 2015 unwinded sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry in return for guarantees to open its governmental election to international observers and the opposition being able to select its candidate, which has not taken place.

Geoff Pyatt, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources, stated in an interview with he plans to meet Latin American leaders today to go over development towards free and fair Venezuelan presidential elections and the oil sanctions, highlighting that sanctions easement would just be extended if conditions for a competitive elections are protected.

There are a great deal of unfavorable signals just recently (from. Caracas). And there's no way to sugarcoat that, Pyatt stated. But we're not quiting, and we have actually got up till completion of. April to see some development.

President Nicolas Maduro's administration has actually kept a restriction on. opposition front-runner Maria Corina Machado from registering. her candidacy. Likewise, international observers are not expected to. exist during the elections in July.

, if a license given in October reducing the sanctions is not. . renewed next month, state oil company PDVSA would most likely. go back to using intermediaries to offer its oil to purchasers such as. China, most likely at discount rates.