Experts Criticize Biden’s Changing Policies for Cuba and Venezuela

One expert says avid pursuit of Caracas crude follows 'brutal' mugging of energy policy by political reality

The logo of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA is seen next to a mural depicting Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez at a gas station in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 2, 2017. Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

A discussion hosted by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation gave rise to questions about U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent moves to ease restrictions on Cuba and Venezuela—including his actions to step up Venezuelan oil production.

“At a time when the Biden administration is restricting domestic energy, he’s giving the [Venezuelan] dictator [Nicolás] Maduro the green light,” said Mike Gonzalez, host of the May 31 event “Cuba and Venezuela Policy in Biden’s America Last Agenda.”