Venezuela Can Manage Without US Licences: VP

Venezuela can manage without the renewal of licenses from the US Treasury, VP Delcy Rodriguez said.

• “It is nothing more than a policy of blackmail and extortion,” Rodriguez said.
• “The truth is that Venezuela is prepared to live without licenses and to continue defeating the criminal blockade in national unity.”
• Instead, Rodriguez called for the US to lift all sanctions on Venezuela as part of the Barbados agreement.
• The US said it will allow the current six-month sanctions relief to expire April 18 without meaningful progress towards an open and democratic presidential election.
• While Venezuela’s government has set a date of July 28 for the election, President Maduro has doubled down on banning lead opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado from running.
• Signals from the Venezuelan government indicate a growing acceptance that sanctions will return to at least some degree in April.