Republicans Block Effort to Check Trump’s Power in Venezuela - The New York Times
G.O.P. leaders succeeded in pressuring fellow senators who initially supported the measure that would have limited President Trump’s military authority in Venezuela.
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| Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, reversed himself on the war powers resolution, saying that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump convinced him that it was not needed. Photo by Kenny Holston/The New York Times |
U.S. Races to Sell Venezuelan Oil, Transforming Ties With Former Foe - The New York Times
U.S. officials brokered the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Venezuelan oil to stabilize the country’s economy after capturing its president.
The U.S. Department of Energy is orchestrating the effort to sell a total of about 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that has been stranded since President Trump imposed the partial blockade last month, according to the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly.
“The first sale has already occurred, and the sales will continue indefinitely,” a spokesman for the Department of Energy said in a statement in response to questions.
The two oil trading firms have already paid the Venezuelan government for a significant share of the allocated oil, and by Wednesday had shipped more than four million barrels, according to the people.
