It appears the United States is going from supporting one dictator to another when it comes to influencing the purchase of oil around the globe. In an effort to slow down Russian President Vladimir Putin and his campaign in east Ukraine, the Biden administration is poised to allow the shipment of oil from Venezuela into Europe, according to a report by Reuters.
“Eni SpA and Repsol SA, which are Italian and Spanish respectively, could ship Venezuelan oil to Europe as early as next month after the Biden administration authorized the plan last week.” according to The Hill which used Reuters as its source. The article by The Hill goes on to mention that “The Biden administration’s reported permission to allow for the use of Venezuelan oil comes as part of a push to rely less on Russian oil and redirect Venezuela’s shipments from China.”
On Sunday, Congressman Mike Waltz (R-FL) tweeted out the story from The Hill and called out the Biden administration for what he seems to think is hypocrisy.
Biden is choking off American energy while lining the pockets of a dictator. Got it. https://t.co/hyvKPFUD0F
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) June 6, 2022
“Biden is choking off American energy while lining the pockets of a dictator. Got it," stated Rep. Waltz.
This is not the first time conservatives have been critical of this move, however.
In early March, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) shared his displeasure with the mingling of the Biden administration with Venezuelan oil.
“So now we’re in a situation where people are really, really hurting. And rather than just recognize, rather than acknowledge that their policies have been ineffective, they are trying to justify what they’re doing, to say no more in America, and they’re going to Maduro.” Said the Florida Governor. “They’re going potentially to the Ayatollah in Iran. So you say you don’t want to with Putin because he’s a dictator. Fine. I’m all for that. But then don’t turn around and go to Maduro.”
The Russo-Ukrainian war has been raging on since late February.
