Despite the Biden administration's tough words about democracy in Venezuela, oil exports from that country to the United States are growing and Chevron's license was just renewed again.

General License 41 was promulgated by Treasury to help democracy in Venezuela. That has failed, and  the lack of transparency under Venezuelan law obscures facts that should be in the public record.

The activities of U.S. and European oil companies in Venezuela are helping the Maduro regime crush democracy there, and the Biden administration should now fully reimpose U.S. sanctions.

The arrest of a fourth American hostage by the Maduro regime in Venezuela shows the failure of Biden administration policy there. It is time to reimpose sanctions on Venezuelan oil.

Lobbyists seeking closer relations between the United States and the repressive Maduro regime in Venezuela are advancing their own interests in agreements that would damage the United States. 

The United States should try to find out if an offer of amnesty will persuade Venezuela's dictator to permit and respect the results of a free election on July 28.

The Biden administration appears to be offering Venezuelan dictator Maduro amnesty if he will leave power, but sticks as well as carrots will be needed to persuade him.

President Biden’s statement today that he supports a new election in Venezuela is a tragic, unforced error that compounds the previous weaknesses in supporting democracy there.