Trump is working overtime again! According to reports, on January 31 local time, U.S. President Trump stated that negotiations regarding Greenland have commenced, and he believes an agreement is imminent. Trump also mentioned that the relationship between the leadership of the United States and Venezuela is excellent, and the two sides will "share" oil revenues. When discussing Cuba, Trump claimed that Cuban officials might seek negotiations with the United States, and he anticipates reaching an agreement on this matter.
Trump: U.S. and Venezuela Will "Share" Oil Revenues U.S. President Trump said on January 31 that the relationship between the leadership of the United States and Venezuela is very strong, and the two nations will "share" oil profits. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked that Venezuela's leaders are "doing a great job," adding, "We will sell a lot of oil, we will get a portion of the revenue, and they will get a large portion as well."
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Hill confirmed in a social media post on January 31 that the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission, Laura Dogu, had arrived in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, that day. A release from the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry indicated that Hill had already met with Dogu. According to Hill's social media account, Venezuela received Dogu and her delegation in Caracas. The working agenda for both sides aims to chart a roadmap for matters of mutual concern and resolve existing differences through diplomatic dialogue, based on mutual respect and international law.
Information posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela on January 22 revealed that the U.S. government had appointed senior diplomat Dogu as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Venezuela Affairs Unit based in Bogotá, Colombia. In January 2019, Venezuela severed diplomatic ties with the United States, and all U.S. Embassy diplomatic personnel withdrew by March of that year. In August 2019, the U.S. Department of State established the Venezuela Affairs Unit in Bogotá. On January 3 this year, the U.S. military launched a large-scale military strike against Venezuela, forcibly taking control of President Maduro and his wife and transporting them to the United States. President Trump stated that the United States would "manage" Venezuela until a "secure" transition is implemented and that major U.S. oil companies would enter Venezuela to invest.
On January 4, Trump said the United States was considering reopening its embassy in Venezuela. Hill confirmed on the 9th that the U.S. Department of State had dispatched a delegation of diplomats to Venezuela to conduct assessments related to diplomatic functions. On January 29 local time, Venezuelan Acting President Rodriguez signed and promulgated the reformed Hydrocarbons Law. In a speech, she stated that Venezuela would continue to advance reforms in the oil and gas industry, welcome domestic and foreign investment in the development of the oil, natural gas, and petrochemical sectors, and, through the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, direct more of the benefits from energy development towards improving people's livelihoods and infrastructure.
Rodriguez pointed out that Venezuela's oil and gas sector is open to the outside world and does not exclude any multinational energy companies from participating in industrial cooperation. She expressed that the government welcomes foreign investment and domestic capital to jointly promote productive development in the energy industry. Rodriguez also announced that Venezuela is on the verge of completing its first-ever liquefied petroleum gas export. The relevant transport vessel has already arrived in Venezuela and is set to depart soon, marking a significant step forward for the country's energy sector development.
Trump: Negotiations on Greenland Are Nearing Consensus On January 31 local time, U.S. President Trump said that negotiations concerning Greenland have begun. He believes an agreement has largely been reached and will ultimately be finalized. He emphasized that, from a national security perspective, this is a "very important" deal. However, just the day before, on January 30 local time, Greenland's Premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, stated in an interview broadcast by Greenland Broadcasting Corporation that no agreement regarding Greenland had been reached yet and the situation remains challenging.
On January 21, U.S. President Trump posted on social media that he had discussed a framework for a future agreement on Greenland with NATO Secretary General Rutte. Rutte later clarified that he had not discussed the issue of Greenland's sovereignty with Trump. In response, Nielsen stated that no agreement currently exists and the autonomous government is working through proper channels to ascertain the true progress. He added that Trump remains interested in acquiring Greenland. Nielsen noted that actions within the NATO framework are crucial in the face of U.S. pressure, and the Government of Greenland will continue to strengthen cooperation with its allies.
Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen recently visited Germany and France. Nielsen stated that the leaders of Germany and France reaffirmed their support for Greenland through various means. In a recent interview, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remarked that U.S. President Trump remains "unpredictable" on the Greenland issue and urged European countries to maintain confidence in their dealings with the United States, stating they "must not be intimidated." Discussing recent U.S. threats to seize Greenland, Pistorius said Trump is "becoming increasingly unpredictable," but "if we Europeans look at America like a rabbit looks at a snake, then we will be unable to focus on necessary things like striving for independence and autonomy." Pistorius added that Trump "relies on uncertainty and fear to achieve his goals," but "those who are afraid will make wrong decisions, so we must not be intimidated." He concluded that America needs Europe just as Europe needs America.
Greenland is the world's largest island and an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, enjoying a high degree of self-government, while defense and foreign affairs are managed by the Danish government. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly threatened to acquire Greenland, citing so-called "national security" reasons.
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