--- title: "Venezuela Election: oil and gas sanctions reinstated despite entry of opposition candidate" description: US reinstates oil and gas sanctions in Venezuela despite the entry of opposition candidate, impacting global crude oil market dynamics. image: https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/Article%20Banner%20Image-crudeoil-1-1.png --- [![Mintec_by_expana_white](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Reversed_RGB-3.png?width=145&height=55&name=Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Reversed_RGB-3.png "Mintec_by_expana_white")](https://www.mintecglobal.com) [![Mintec_by_expana_dark](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Mono_RGB%20(2).png?width=145&height=54&name=Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Mono_RGB%20(2).png "Mintec_by_expana_dark")](https://www.mintecglobal.com) - ![Flags](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4080606/flag-button-round-250.png) ** - [![Dutch](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4080606/dutch-01-1.png)](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=nl&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [![Finnish](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4080606/Finnish-01.png)](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=fi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintecglobal.com) - [![French](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4080606/France-1.png)](https://www.mintecglobal.com/french) - [![German](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4080606/Germany-1.png)](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=de&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [![Italian](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4080606/Italy-1.png)](https://www.mintecglobal.com/italia) - [![Norwegian](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4080606/Norway-01.png)](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=no&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [![Portuguese](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4080606/portugal-01.png)](https://www.mintecglobal.com/portugal) - [![Russian](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4080606/russian-01.png)](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=ru&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [![Spanish](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4080606/Spain.png)](https://www.mintecglobal.com/espana) - [![Swedish](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4080606/swedish-01.png)](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=sv&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [![SIGN IN](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4080606/3a597199-6ead-499b-8311-0bd6a6ba4204.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4080606/3a597199-6ead-499b-8311-0bd6a6ba4204) - [![GET STARTED](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4080606/885beebf-1311-41e6-90cc-01c1a0614f69.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4080606/885beebf-1311-41e6-90cc-01c1a0614f69) [![Mintec_by_expana_white](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Reversed_RGB-3.png?width=145&height=55&name=Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Reversed_RGB-3.png "Mintec_by_expana_white")](https://www.mintecglobal.com) [![Mintec_by_expana_dark](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Mono_RGB%20(2).png?width=145&height=54&name=Mintec_Logo_Small_Use_Mono_RGB%20(2).png) ](https://www.mintecglobal.com/) - EN ** - [NL](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=nl&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [FI](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=fi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintecglobal.com) - [FR](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=fr&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [DE](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=de&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [IT](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=it&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [NO](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=no&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [PT](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=pt&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [RU](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=ru&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [ES](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=es&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [SV](https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=en&tl=sv&u=www.mintecglobal.com) - [![SIGN IN](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4080606/3a597199-6ead-499b-8311-0bd6a6ba4204.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4080606/3a597199-6ead-499b-8311-0bd6a6ba4204) - [![GET STARTED](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4080606/885beebf-1311-41e6-90cc-01c1a0614f69.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4080606/885beebf-1311-41e6-90cc-01c1a0614f69) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1609690&fmt=gif) # Venezuela Election: oil and gas sanctions reinstated despite entry of opposition candidate [back to insight ](https://www-mintecglobal-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/our-insight-2018) May 14, 2024 2 mins read Last month, the US State Department announced the expiration of General License 44, which authorized “transactions related to oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela.” The expiration allows for a 45-day wind-down period for companies to cease operations.   The expiration of the license came after the official opposition bloc was prevented from fielding two consecutive candidates. However, in a more recent development, former ambassador, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, has been successfully nominated as the Democratic Unitary Platform coalition candidate, in a move that has been well-received by the US. To that end, some industry sources anticipate that sanctions may be relaxed again in the coming weeks.      ![Venezuela Election oil and gas sanctions reinstated despite entry of opposition candidate CHART 1](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Venezuela%20Election%20oil%20and%20gas%20sanctions%20reinstated%20despite%20entry%20of%20opposition%20candidate%20CHART%201.png?width=757&height=454&name=Venezuela%20Election%20oil%20and%20gas%20sanctions%20reinstated%20despite%20entry%20of%20opposition%20candidate%20CHART%201.png) *Source: EIA*  The US State Department relieved sanctions on the oil and gas sector in Venezuela in October 2023 in return for a fair electoral process in the country. [Mintec previously reported](https://www.mintecglobal.com/top-stories/the-us-eases-sanctions-on-venezuelas-oil-and-gas-sector) on the removal of sanctions, and how this may result in around a 30% increase in Venezuela’s crude oil production over the coming years. However, market sources noted that years of underinvestment in infrastructure would limit Venezuela’s ability to process and export crude oil.    ![Venezuela Election oil and gas sanctions reinstated despite entry of opposition candidate CHART 2](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Venezuela%20Election%20oil%20and%20gas%20sanctions%20reinstated%20despite%20entry%20of%20opposition%20candidate%20CHART%202.png?width=733&height=435&name=Venezuela%20Election%20oil%20and%20gas%20sanctions%20reinstated%20despite%20entry%20of%20opposition%20candidate%20CHART%202.png) *Source: EIA*  Holding around 17% of global crude oil reserves, with just over 300 billion barrels of crude oil in Venezuela, Venezuela is the largest holder of crude oil in the world. The decision by the US to relieve sanctions on the oil and gas sector in the country, therefore, could have a significant long-term impact on the crude oil market.  Mintec will provide updates on this very fluid situation as more information becomes available following the nomination of Urrutia.        Topics: [Crude Oil](https://www.mintecglobal.com/top-stories/tag/crude-oil) ![Andrew Woods](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(137).png) Andrew Woods [## PRICE FORECASTING ## ![Mintec_logo_secondary_light](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Redesign2018/Logos/Mintec_logo_secondary_light.png?width=120&name=Mintec_logo_secondary_light.png) Strengthen your buying strategy, control exposure to price risk Deliver future price predictions and hedging recommendations, by identifying key turning points and commodity trends.   LEARN MORE ](https://www.mintecglobal.com/forecasting) #### /You May Also Like ![Featured Image](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/Trade%20boat%20at%20the%20port%20of%20Miami-1.jpeg) [ANALYSIS: Black Sea Wheat Exports Face Logistical and Weather Challenges](https://www.mintecglobal.com/top-stories/analysis-black-sea-wheat-exports-face-logistical-and-weather-challenges) Grain markets in the Black Sea region are entering the second half of... January 27, 2026 ![Featured Image](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/Wheat%20field-Jan-19-2026-11-37-44-9508-AM.jpeg) [ANALYSIS: Euronext wheat slides as USDA reinforces global supply surplus](https://www.mintecglobal.com/top-stories/analysis-euronext-wheat-slides-as-usda-reinforces-global-supply-surplus) Euronext milling wheat futures extended losses over the past week,... January 19, 2026 ###### PLATFORM ## Mintec Analytics The spend intelligence you need, about the food products you buy, all in one place.  [![FREE TRIAL](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4080606/9e6aba24-3280-4c09-b0f8-14b8b3680071.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4080606/9e6aba24-3280-4c09-b0f8-14b8b3680071) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1609690&fmt=gif) CONTACT DETAILS - UK +44 1628 642498  - USA +1 732 240 5330 - ![LinkedIn logo](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/2019%20Mintech%20websites/Images/Header/linkdin.svg) [Mintec Ltd](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mintec-ltd/) HEAD QUARTERS Gloucester House Unit Q, Bourne End Business Park, Bourne End, SL8 5AS UK CONTACT DETAILS - ![envelope email](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/2019%20Mintech%20websites/Images/Header/mail%20icon.svg)[ sales@mintecglobal.com](mailto:sales@mintecglobal.com) - ![envelope email](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/2019%20Mintech%20websites/Images/Header/mail%20icon.svg)[ pra@mintecglobal.com](mailto:pra@mintecglobal.com) - ![envelope email](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/2019%20Mintech%20websites/Images/Header/mail%20icon.svg)[ support@mintecglobal.com](mailto:support@mintecglobal.com) -   - ![LinkedIn logo](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/2019%20Mintech%20websites/Images/Header/linkdin.svg) [Mintec Ltd](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mintec-ltd/) - ![Twitter logo](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/2019%20Mintech%20websites/Images/Header/twitter%20icon.svg) [@MintecLimited](https://twitter.com/MintecLimited)   ##### ** NEW YORK         •         LONDON         •         PARIS         •         COPENHAGEN **** **     - ![European Business Awards logo](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/EBA-1.svg) - ![FDA_a](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/FDA_a.svg) - ![WPA-2](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/WPA-2.svg) - ![WPA_US](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/WPA_US.svg) - ![ISO](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/ISO.svg) - ![iosco badge3](https://www.mintecglobal.com/hubfs/iosco%20badge3.svg)     ##### ** NEW YORK LONDON ****PARIS COPENHAGEN **** **     - [Cookie Policy](https://www.mintecglobal.com/cookie-policy) | - [Privacy Statement](https://www.expanamarkets.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Privacy-Policy-November-2025_FINAL.pdf?utm_source=mintec&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=always-on-mintec-referral) | - [Terms & Conditions |](https://www.mintecglobal.com/terms-and-conditions) - [Modern Slavery Statement](https://www.expanamarkets.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Modern-Slavery-Statement-SEPT-2025.pdf?utm_source=mintec&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=always-on-mintec-referral) Copyright © 2026 Mintec Limited - [Cookie Policy](https://www.mintecglobal.com/cookie-policy) | - [Privacy Statement](https://www.expanamarkets.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Privacy-Policy-November-2025_FINAL.pdf?utm_source=mintec&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=always-on-mintec-referral) | - [Terms & Conditions |](https://www.mintecglobal.com/terms-and-conditions) - [Modern Slavery Statement](https://www.expanamarkets.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Modern-Slavery-Statement-SEPT-2025.pdf?utm_source=mintec&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=always-on-mintec-referral) Copyright © 2026 Mintec Limited