Sanctions Aim to Drive Russian Companies Out of Venezuela, Lavrov Alleges

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced today that following the actions in Venezuela, the West is attempting to expel Russian companies from the South American territory as part of its sanction policies.

"All sanctions against Russia remain in effect, and moreover, for the first time in a long time, new, very tough sanctions have been introduced against our largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft," stated the head of diplomacy of the Eurasian giant in an interview with RT.

Sanctions Targeting Russian Energy Exports
In the remarks broadcast on the occasion of Diplomat's Day, the Foreign Minister enumerated a series of actions deployed specifically from the United States to prevent the commercialization of Russian hydrocarbons.

"Now, after the events in Venezuela, there are open attempts to expel our companies from that country. India is prohibited from buying Russian oil, at least it was announced that way. Everyone is prohibited from buying both Russian oil and gas," Lavrov emphasized.

In that context, he stated that from various platforms, assertions arise that the exportable hydrocarbons of the Slavic nation will be replaced by US oil and liquefied natural gas.

Reference to US Executive Order on Cuba
Furthermore, the Foreign Minister recalled that Washington recently approved a restrictive order on the impossibility for third parties to supply crude oil to Havana.

"That document declares a national emergency regarding a certain threat that Cuba represents for US interests in the Caribbean, also due to Russia's hostile and malicious policy. This does not align well with our economic and investment cooperation," Lavrov insisted.

Russia as the World's Most Sanctioned Country
Since the start, in February 2022, of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Moscow has become the most sanctioned country on the planet.

Data published by Western sources themselves quantify over 23,960 individual and sectoral measures in the context of the hybrid war unleashed against the Eurasian giant.