Venezuela Slams 'Extremist' Trump, Says Sanctions Against Country Will Actually Harm US

Venezuela is slamming President Donald Trump's decision to reimpose oil sanctions, calling it a "damaging and inexplicable" move that will hurt the United States more than itself.

"Today, February 26, the United States government has made a damaging and inexplicable decision; by announcing sanctions against the American company Chevron, intending to harm the Venezuelan people, in reality, it is inflicting harm on the United States, its population, and its companies, also calling into question the legal security of the United States in its international investment regime," Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said.

The sanctions, which target Venezuela's oil industry, mark the undoing of a key Biden-era concession meant to encourage democratic reforms. The reversal, effective March 1, targets the country's oil industry and follows what Trump calls a failure to meet political and repatriation commitments.

"We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro, of Venezuela, on the oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022, and also having to do with Electoral conditions within Venezuela, which have not been met by the Maduro regime," Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday. "Additionally, the regime has not been transporting the violent criminals that they sent into our Country (the Good Ole' U.S.A.) back to Venezuela at the rapid pace that they had agreed to."

Rodríguez blasted the sanctions, warning they would deepen economic turmoil and drive even more Venezuelans to flee.

"The constitutional government of Venezuela and its people, in great national unity, categorically reject this type of action publicly requested by the extremist and failed opposition of the country. Venezuela highlights that this type of failed action drove migration from 2017 to 2021 with the widely known consequences."

As Venezuela faces renewed economic pressure, Rodríguez vowed to push forward.

"Venezuela will continue its path of comprehensive economic recovery, guaranteeing it with the creative effort of all and in absolute adherence to its sovereignty and national independence."

Quoting South American independence leader José Gervasio Artigas, Rodríguez added, "Let us not expect anything but from ourselves."