Venezuela has discussed with U.S. officials the possibility of leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources, as relayed by NUR.KZ and RIA Novosti. According to the agency, the talks were only preliminary, and no final decision has been made, reports infohub.kz.
Venezuela is one of the five founding members of OPEC, established in 1960. However, in recent years its role in the organization has weakened due to U.S. sanctions and domestic economic crises that have undermined the country's oil industry, the agency said.
The publication emphasizes that Venezuela's exit from OPEC could pave the way for greater involvement of international oil companies from the U.S. and other countries in reviving Venezuela's oil sector.
Recall that on the night of January 3, explosions occurred in Caracas. Subsequently, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American forces had carried out large-scale strikes, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured and taken out of the country along with his wife. Later, Trump expressed his intention to make Venezuela the 51st state of the U.S. In June, the White House chief reported U.S. revenues from the sale of Venezuelan oil after Maduro's capture.