Jorge Rodriguez, a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, stated on Friday that he is hopeful the incoming Biden administration would reconsider the sanctions made by President Trump and give room for diplomacy.
After granting his first interview, he made these comments since taking the helm of the Venezuelan National Assembly over protests from the U.S., European Union, and domestic opponents.
Ready for a fresh start
Jorge Rodriguez stated that the ruling socialist party is eager for a fresh start after 4 years of trying to reach out to the Trump administration only resulted in endless attacks from the United States. This has increased the suffering among Venezuelans and failed to unseat Maduro. It has also punished U.S. investors who have been instrumental in the OPEC nation.
According to him, all the points are on the table, including the future of six Venezuelan- American oil executives who were arrested on charges of corruption and two former Green Berets who were apprehended in a failed attempt to overthrow Maduro.
It is yet unclear if the new administration of Joe Biden will accept the gesture or continue with the Trump administration’s policy.
White House recognizes Guiado as Leader.
A lot depends on how the new administration treats Juan Guaido, head of the outgoing congress. The Trump administration recognizes Guaido as Venezuela’s rightful leader.
Past attempts at government discussion have ended in a deadlock, while Maduro has tightened his grip on power.
In the light of this, there has been little progress with respect to the power tussle in Venezuela and the ensuing economic crisis that has sent millions fleeing and those remaining lacking basic necessities.
For instance, they have a shortage of gasoline in an OPEC country with the world’s largest Crude oil reserves. Rodriguez has repeatedly refused calls by his supporters to jail Guaido, offering rather to dialogue with the National Assembly’s former head.
“The new National Assembly is moving toward dialogue in the broadest way possible,” said Rodriguez, a close ally of Maduro, from the center of Caracas.
However, he dropped a hint that talks would succeed only if Guaido and his allies admit to plotting to overthrow Maduro and ask forgiveness for doing such. Also, for backing foreign government freezes of Venezuelan oil assets that have further crippled Venezuelan citizens’ economy amid a pandemic.
U.S. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo already made the Trump administration’s official position clear on the matter. He said that they consider the group led by Juan Guaido and the National Assembly to be the only democratic representatives of the Venezuelan people. He further stated that they should be freed from Maduro’s harassment, threats, and other abuses.
Socialist Party in Control
The ruling socialist party had earlier gained control of the Venezuelan congress on Tuesday, January 5th. This was the last institution that they were yet to control. Symbolically, they restored images to the parliament and remove portraits of opponents. In so doing, they claimed to have avenged the defeat they experienced 5 years ago from the opposition who had challenged Maduro’s grip on power.
Rodriguez, President of the Venezuelan assembly, had claimed the opposition party headed by lawmaker Juan Guido had plotted Maduro’s violent overthrow with foreign support and the Trump administration.
Allies and associates loyal to Maduro swept the legislative elections in December, boycotted by the opposition and described as a sham by the U.S., the E.U, and several international observers. The vote was characterized by low turnout. Nonetheless, it seemed to relegate into irrelevancy the opposition, led by Guaido.
Loyalty to revolution
Rodriguez’s loyalty to the revolution and Maduro has come at a cost. The Trump administration sanctioned him in 2018 as a key player in Maduro’s inner circle. Indeed, Rodriguez is a close ally and unofficial spokesman for Maduro.
He had previously served in the capacity of Vice president to late President Hugo Chavez. He was also formerly the mayor of Caracas and minister of communications under Maduro.
As unofficial spokesman and agitator for Maduro, and with a gift of oratory admired by his friends and foes alike, he is often not far from the President in his frequent appearances on state TV. He is expected to be at the fore of negotiations, and communications with the U.S. as the new President takes office and lays down his foreign policy.
Analysts say the landscape is not likely to change, and the oil sanctions imposed on Venezuela are likely to be upheld by the Biden administration.
The U.S. and Venezuela fell out in 2019 after the White House recognized Guaido as the rightful president because Maduro’s recent reelection was invalid. Both nations withdrew their diplomats, and the U.S. embassy in Caracas remains closed.
