Venezuela has long sought constructive engagement with the United States, yet Washington has repeatedly fallen short of its commitments. This assessment came from Ivan Gil Pinto, the head of Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during an interview aired on the Belarus 1 channel. Pinto emphasized that negotiations with the US government have always been a constant feature of Venezuelan diplomacy, even as the two nations have faced recurring disagreements over what is promised and delivered. He pointed out that Washington has repeatedly failed to fulfill the assurances it gave, a pattern that has shaped how Caracas views the bilateral relationship and its room to maneuver on the world stage. Source: Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In Pinto’s view, the Venezuelan side has remained open to dialogue and negotiation with American authorities. Yet the diplomat underscored a persistent gap between commitments and actions. He argued that these gaps have constrained Venezuela’s ability to plan and operate with confidence in the global economy, particularly as it pertains to the country’s crucial energy sector. The message conveyed was that while talk has continued, concrete outcomes have not always materialized, leaving the country to navigate a difficult business environment amid shifting sanctions and policy signals. Source: Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Further, Pinto highlighted the economic realities that underscore Venezuela’s position. He noted that all revenues from the oil and gas sector flow to the state, and that the national government bears a heavy burden from the loss of foreign exchange earnings associated with the sale of petroleum products. The assertion was that the state’s financial assets have been constrained and that the ability to negotiate favorable terms in international markets has been impaired as a result. This diagnosis reflects a broader concern about how sanctions and external pressure influence the country’s macroeconomic framework and strategic incentives for energy production. Source: Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Affairs chief stressed that external actions have had tangible effects on Venezuela’s assets and its diplomatic leverage. He argued that the country has faced restrictions on access to international financial systems and on the ability to deploy its resources on favorable terms abroad. In his view, these constraints complicate the government’s capacity to fund development projects, manage fiscal policy, and maintain stable partnerships with other countries. The argument centered on how economic sovereignty interacts with geopolitical decisions that are shaped by a wider international sanctions regime. Source: Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the policy front, the US Treasury issued a general license that purportedly relaxes sanctions related to Venezuela’s oil and gas sector but with explicit exclusions tied to structures owned or controlled by Russian interests. This clarification has added a new layer of complexity to the sanctions landscape, affecting how Caracas assesses risk and opportunity in its energy diplomacy. The framing suggests that even as certain sanctions appear to ease, limitations persist that influence investment decisions, project timelines, and international cooperation in energy ventures. Source: US Treasury announcements, as reported by national briefings.
Looking back, the United States has periodically announced steps that signal a less punitive posture toward Venezuela, while simultaneously signaling limits that keep pressure in place. For Caracas, the challenge remains translating any easing into measurable benefits for the economy and for the daily lives of its citizens. The ongoing dialogue, punctuated by policy shifts and competing priorities, underscores the fragility of the relationship and the strategic importance both sides place on influencing regional energy markets, governance, and broader political alignment. These dynamics continue to shape how Venezuela approaches negotiations, seeks assurances, and plans long-term development in a landscape marked by sanctions, global markets, and evolving diplomacy. Source: contemporary policy analysis and official statements.