Dear Editor,

The United States (US) should lift the sanctions against Venezuela immediately and restore full diplomatic relations with them.

The question is: What has Venezuela done to the US? Absolutely nothing!

There were some internal political disputes in the country, where the Opposition claimed that the election was unfair. So former President Donald Trump in his infinite wisdom decided to slap sanctions on the country. President Joe Biden came into office and continued the same policy which, in my view, makes no sense.

Venezuela is the only country that gives developing countries in the region, such as Jamaica, a break in oil prices, which can cost their fragile economies billions of dollars annually. For years they also donated millions of gallons of heating oil to poor Americans to heat their homes during the winter. Besides, how can the US continue to apply sanctions when it is buying Venezuelan oil through the back door, so to speak?

A lot of Venezuelans are finding themselves at the United States border, which shouldn’t be — not when their country has the largest oil deposits in the world. It is imperative that the US has a presence in this country in order to lessen the influence of China and Russia, its two main adversaries.

Venezuela is not belligerent or hostile towards America. During the Trump Administration President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro made several attempts to engage him in talks to address the situation and he wasn’t interested. To fix the problem is quite simple, and here’s how: Summon both leaders to the White House and inform them that a fair and peaceful election will be held, after which both of them are expected to abide by the results. Require them to sign a pledge to facilitate this. If they break that pledge, then the US will reapply sanctions.

The United States is a beacon of democracy. But it cannot install a Government of its choice, only the people of Venezuela are allowed to do that — not the European Union (EU) the United Kingdom (UK) or the United Nations (UN) only the Venezuelan people, Bring peace, prosperity and stability to the region, lift the sanctions now. In the meantime, as a gesture if Venezuela has and any United State prisoners of war they should be released immediately as well.

Noel Mitchell

New York

nlmworld@yahoo.com