Today, Representative Maria Salazar addressed a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In her communication, she urged the U.S. Administration to protect the Venezuelan National Assembly’s control over CITGO from creditors linked to the Venezuelan regime.
CITGO is described as a crucial asset for Venezuela and its democratic future. Since President Trump’s first term, it has been managed by Venezuela’s legitimate opposition. However, this protection is now perceived to be under threat.
Rep. Salazar stated, “The plaintiffs against CITGO are really plaintiffs against Maduro and the Chavista crooks that ran PDVSA in Venezuela into the ground.” She emphasized that “the Venezuelan opposition desperately trying to restore freedom to their country shouldn’t have to pay the debts of Maduro and his cronies.”
In her letter, Rep. Salazar called on the Administration to:
– Use economic powers to halt the sale process.
– Protect CITGO for U.S. foreign policy, energy security, and national security reasons.
– Collaborate with Venezuela’s democratic leaders for a fair resolution regarding this strategic asset.
Background information notes that during President Trump’s first term, control of CITGO was transferred from the Maduro Regime to Venezuela’s democratic opposition in the United States. This control has reportedly been compromised under the Biden administration due to actions allowing regime creditors’ claims through U.S. courts.
Readers can access the full letter for more details.
