US wants Venezuelan opposition to not redeem Russian debts

WASHINTON, Feb 14 (PRIME) -- U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman has called for the U.S. government to ensure that the Venezuelan opposition does not redeem the country’s debt to Russia at a Wednesday hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sherman asked United States Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams during the hearing whether the U.S. was discussing Venezuela’s debt with the opposition and whether the U.S. had told Russia that these debts would not be redeemed. Abrams responded that it was not the case and that it was for the opposition to decide whether it would redeem the debts.

But Sherman said he hoped that Washington takes steps in this direction so that international rating agencies do not cut Venezuela’s debt when it defaults on debts to Russia.

Abrams also said that Washington was discussing the situation in Venezuela with Russia, but no results had been achieved so far. Moscow does not provide any new money to Venezuela as it is concerned with the redemption of existing debt. Still, if the opposition seizes power, it would be able to conduct business with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and Russia’s role would diminish, he said.

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