Instead of producing oil here in the United States, the Biden administration would rather rely on imports from foreign terrorists, socialists, and communists to replace what was lost when he decided to destroy our energy independence.

Republican leaders and conservative commentators castigated the Biden after reports that the administration was seeking to buy oil from Venezuela in order to fill gaps in the energy supply caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[source: The Daily Wire]

It was reported over the weekend that senior U.S. government officials were traveling to Venezuela to meet with President Nicolás Maduro in an effort to pry the country away from its relationship with Russia. The U.S. had cut off diplomatic efforts with Venezuela during the Trump administration, closing the embassy in Caracas in 2019. The U.S. then imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan oil industry and many of the country’s senior government officials, and recognized opposition party leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president.

Maduro responded to sanctions by turning to Russia, Iran, and China for economic and diplomatic aid. Russian financial institutions have helped Venezuela to continue its oil exports despite U.S. sanctions. But the country has reportedly distanced itself from Russia since the invasion, and individuals involved in previous negotiations, as well as Maduro himself, have expressed interest in revitalizing exports to the U.S.

The Wall Street Journal and CBS News concurred with the New York Times’ reporting. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Venezuela had reached out to major Wall Street firms to push the Biden administration to reopen diplomatic talks and lift oil sanctions.

This news comes after U.S. negotiators inch closer to inking a new (and secret) nuclear deal with Iran which involves removing sanctions for known terrorists.

Conservative backlash was immense (rightfully so) after news broke of Biden’s oil deals with both Venezuela and Iran.

Joe Biden using #Russia as an excuse to do the deal they always wanted to do anyway with the #MaduroRegime

Rather than produce more American oil he wants to replace the oil we buy from one murderous dictator with oil from another murderous dictatorhttps://t.co/HA7X71r2Mn

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 6, 2022

SMH. Can we focus on domestic energy development already?https://t.co/EMTdaf0TML

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 6, 2022

Why is Joe Biden more interested in getting oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela than the United States?

— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) March 6, 2022

Biden is now cutting deals with Iran and Venezuela. He doesn’t want America to be energy independent. You’re being played.

— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) March 6, 2022

Biden’s solution to our oil problems? Send more American tax dollars to dictators…just different ones. https://t.co/pvw1P4117M

— Jenna Ellis (@realJennaEllis) March 6, 2022

Congressional Republicans have been pleading with the Biden administration for days to revamp U.S. oil production as oil prices rocket above $100 per barrel, and gas prices for U.S. consumers cross the $4 per gallon threshold and continue to soar to near-record highs.

The administration and many Congressional Democrats have only called for more production from countries like Venezuela, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

Are you paying attention yet?

Author: Elizabeth Tierney