Venezuelans protest against U.S. reverse of oil license

A rally took place in Venezuela's capital Caracas after the U.S. government announced the cancellation of a license granted to U.S. energy giant Chevron to operate in Venezuela since March 1.

Canceling the license means the California-based U.S. company will no longer be able to export Venezuelan crude. Additionally, if Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, exports oil that was previously exported by Chevron, U.S. refineries will be unable to buy it due to U.S. sanctions.

The announcement has sparked strong resentment in the south American country which sits atop the world's largest proven oil reserves.

"If Americans choose to continue down the path of fascism, violence and sanctions, that's their decision. We would continue to maintain our independence and sovereignty and pursue peace, development and harmony," said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the rally.

Venezuela severed diplomatic ties with the U.S. in Jan 2019 due to what Venezuela called continued involvement of the U.S. in Venezuela's internal affairs and its attempts to overthrow Maduro's government through political coup and other measures.

Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to impose more sanctions on Venezuela's economy, including a ban on the export of Venezuelan crude oil.

However, in late 2022, former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration granted Chevron an automatically renewable license to expand operations in Venezuela and resume exports to the U.S. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the deal was being terminated.

"What Trump has done is a disgrace to the people in the U.S.," said a Venezuelan resident.

"We have been fighting against sanctions since 2015," said another resident.

Venezuelans protest against U.S. reverse of oil license

Venezuelans protest against U.S. reverse of oil license

Venezuelans protest against U.S. reverse of oil license

Venezuelans protest against U.S. reverse of oil license

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests