HOUSTON, TEXAS (Ian Silverman and Piero Stewart, Energy Analytics Institute, 13.Aug.2020, Words: 966) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is doubling down on earning money through illicit means where sanctions have less of an impact while also doubling down on alliances with autocratic regimes whether its Cuba, Iran, Russia or others, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cuba and Venezuela in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Carrie Filipetti, said 13 August 2020 during a webcast hosted by the Atlantic Council.
Strong relations with European countries are needed to monitor gold mining practices that keep the Maduro regime in power, she added.
