Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum giving statements to the press. Photo: File photo.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil has expressed gratitude on behalf of President Nicolás Maduro to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, for publicly opposing the economic sanctions imposed by the government of the US empire.
Sheinbaum criticized the Trump administration’s measures, stating during a press conference that they “affect not only a government, but an entire people.” In response, Gil wrote on social media this Wednesday, March 26, that Sheinbaum “has rightly rejected the illegal 25% tariffs on countries purchasing Venezuelan oil or gas. These sanctions harm entire populations and violate international law, reviving their failed 2017 ‘maximum pressure’ campaign. Venezuela will overcome this challenge,” the top diplomat added.
The tariffs, announced by Trump on his Truth Social platform, will take effect April 2, 2025. Trump claimed the measure was justified “for a variety of reasons,” including unsubstantiated allegations that Venezuela “deliberately sent tens of thousands of high-level criminals, including members of the Tren de Aragua gang—a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization—to the United States.” No evidence was provided to support these claims.
Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on Venezuelan Oil Buyers in Escalation of Economic War
Spain prepares
Also on Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a contingency plan to protect Spanish industries—notably energy giant Repsol—from potential repercussions of US imperial tariffs for buying Venezuelan oil.
Sánchez criticized the Trump administration’s approach to unilateral tariffs, arguing that Spain “has done nothing to warrant such measures,” highlighting Spain’s trade deficit with the US empire and its longstanding support for US businesses presence in Europe.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/AU