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Mr. Glitterati
  • Automotive
    Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

    Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

    4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

    4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

    4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

    4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

    Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

    Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

    Mercedes-Benz Charging Network

    Mercedes-Benz to Launch Global Branded High-Power Charging Network in North America

    Ways To Surprise Your Partner Who Loves Cars

    Ways To Surprise Your Partner Who Loves Cars

    5 Important Tips for Every New Jeep Owner

    5 Important Tips for Every New Jeep Owner

    The Best Ways To Increase the Value of Your Car

    The Best Ways To Increase the Value of Your Car

    Why Jeeps Are Awesome for Off-Roading Adventures

    Why Jeeps Are Awesome for Off-Roading Adventures

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    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Mustang
  • Business
    Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

    Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

    Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

    Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

    World’s largest trial in the UK: 86 percent want to keep 4-day week

    World’s largest trial in the UK: 86 percent want to keep 4-day week

    Rewarding “Good” Companies—How the Economy for the Common Good Wants to Change the World

    Rewarding “Good” Companies—How the Economy for the Common Good Wants to Change the World

    Redistributing 11 billion dollars: Colombia’s left-wing president wants to fight poverty with a wealth tax

    Redistributing 11 billion dollars: Colombia’s left-wing president wants to fight poverty with a wealth tax

    Ban or regulate: The world searches for a way to deal with cryptocurrencies

    Ban or regulate: The world searches for a way to deal with cryptocurrencies

    Bolivia: Less poverty and booming economy through nationalisation of mineral resources

    Bolivia: Less poverty and booming economy through nationalisation of mineral resources

    “Creating Prosperity Together”: How the social economy model saved the English city of Preston

    “Creating Prosperity Together”: How the social economy model saved the English city of Preston

    Amazon continues to destroy new goods and returns 

    Amazon continues to destroy new goods and returns 

    Trending Tags

    • Fashion
      Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

      Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

      Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

      Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

      Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

      Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

      Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

      Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

      The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

      The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

      Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

      Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

      Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

      Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

      The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

      The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

      Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

      Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

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      • Food & Drink
        Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

        Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

        Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

        Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

        Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

        Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

        How the wine you choose can help you have an eco-friendly home

        How the Wine You Choose Can Help You have an Eco-Friendly Home

        Rum and Cola Holiday Ham

        Special Centerpieces for Holiday Celebrations

        ChefsGiving 2020

        This Holiday Season, How about Cooking for a Cause?

        Iced Cold Moscow Mule cocktail with lime and pomegranate

        Holiday Spirits: The Cranberry Smash Moscow Mule

        The Most Beautiful Liquor Bottles in the World

        The Most Beautiful Liquor Bottles in the World

        Tao Group Virtual Chef Experience

        Entertain Your Guests Virtually This Fall ?

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        • Health
          California Confronts the Threat of ‘Tranq’ as Overdose Crisis Rages

          California Confronts the Threat of ‘Tranq’ as Overdose Crisis Rages

          Our 300th Episode!

          Our 300th Episode!

          As Medicaid Purge Begins, ‘Staggering Numbers’ of Americans Lose Coverage

          As Medicaid Purge Begins, ‘Staggering Numbers’ of Americans Lose Coverage

          Health Care Coalition Jockeys Over Medi-Cal Spending, Eyes Ballot Initiative

          Health Care Coalition Jockeys Over Medi-Cal Spending, Eyes Ballot Initiative

          How a Medical Recoding May Limit Cancer Patients’ Options for Breast Reconstruction

          How a Medical Recoding May Limit Cancer Patients’ Options for Breast Reconstruction

          Cardiovascular Disease Is Primed to Kill More Older Adults, Especially Blacks and Hispanics

          Cardiovascular Disease Is Primed to Kill More Older Adults, Especially Blacks and Hispanics

          Newsom and Democratic Lawmakers at Odds Over Billions in Health Care Funds

          Newsom and Democratic Lawmakers at Odds Over Billions in Health Care Funds

          Many People Living in the ‘Diabetes Belt’ Are Plagued With Medical Debt

          Many People Living in the ‘Diabetes Belt’ Are Plagued With Medical Debt

          A Catch-22 for Clinics: State Bans Limit Abortion Counseling. Federal Title X Rules Require It.

          A Catch-22 for Clinics: State Bans Limit Abortion Counseling. Federal Title X Rules Require It.

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          • Lifestyle

            The History and Meaning of Memorial Day

            Ways To Make Your Partner Feel Loved and Appreciated

            Ways To Make Your Partner Feel Loved and Appreciated

            Values and principles, even when faced with temptations, challenges, or potential negative consequences.

            Acknowledging Racism within Familial and Social Circles: An Examination of Cognitive Dissonance and Socio-Cultural Factors

            Definition of ethics

            The Interconnectedness of Racial Opinions and Ethics

            Sacrifice States: the US Nuclear Sponge

            woman with gun near thief at night in parking lot

            Why it’s Important to know Your 2nd Amendment Rights

            Tips for Growing a Fuller and Healthier Beard

            Tips for Growing a Fuller and Healthier Beard

            Fulfilling Side Hustles for Good Money in 2023

            Fulfilling Side Hustles for Good Money in 2023

            5 Tips on How To Run Your First Charity Event

            5 Tips on How To Run Your First Charity Event

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            • Politics
              OpenSecrets releases report on out-of-state donations’ rising role

              OpenSecrets releases report on out-of-state donations’ rising role

              Independent Sen. Krysten Sinema continues using liberal platforms to fundraise for 2024 reelection campaign

              Independent Sen. Krysten Sinema continues using liberal platforms to fundraise for 2024 reelection campaign

              Watchdog bites Ron DeSantis for alleged “soft money” campaign finance violation

              Watchdog bites Ron DeSantis for alleged “soft money” campaign finance violation

              Press Release: Over 30,000 White House financial disclosures to be made public in first for transparency and accountability

              Press Release: Over 30,000 White House financial disclosures to be made public in first for transparency and accountability

              Pro-Ron DeSantis super PAC to inherit state-level PAC war chest to support presidential run

              Pro-Ron DeSantis super PAC to inherit state-level PAC war chest to support presidential run

              Definition of ethics

              The Interconnectedness of Racial Opinions and Ethics

              Spyware firm NSO Group continues lobbying efforts to resume business-as-usual in the U.S.

              Spyware firm NSO Group continues lobbying efforts to resume business-as-usual in the U.S.

              Joe Manchin vows to block “radical climate agenda,” rakes in oil and gas industry contributions

              Joe Manchin vows to block “radical climate agenda,” rakes in oil and gas industry contributions

              Adam Schiff heads into California’s 2024 U.S. Senate race with a sizable cash advantage

              Adam Schiff heads into California’s 2024 U.S. Senate race with a sizable cash advantage

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              • Real Estate
                Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                Ways To Decorate and Design a Lake House

                Ways To Decorate and Design a Lake House

                Challenges To Managing a Rental Property

                Challenges To Managing a Rental Property

                The Best Landlord: How To Show Tenants You Care

                The Best Landlord: How To Show Tenants You Care

                The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

                The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

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                • Automotive
                  Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

                  Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

                  4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

                  4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

                  4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

                  4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

                  Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

                  Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

                  Mercedes-Benz Charging Network

                  Mercedes-Benz to Launch Global Branded High-Power Charging Network in North America

                  Ways To Surprise Your Partner Who Loves Cars

                  Ways To Surprise Your Partner Who Loves Cars

                  5 Important Tips for Every New Jeep Owner

                  5 Important Tips for Every New Jeep Owner

                  The Best Ways To Increase the Value of Your Car

                  The Best Ways To Increase the Value of Your Car

                  Why Jeeps Are Awesome for Off-Roading Adventures

                  Why Jeeps Are Awesome for Off-Roading Adventures

                  Trending Tags

                  • Mercedes-Benz
                  • Mustang
                • Business
                  Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

                  Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

                  Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

                  Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

                  World’s largest trial in the UK: 86 percent want to keep 4-day week

                  World’s largest trial in the UK: 86 percent want to keep 4-day week

                  Rewarding “Good” Companies—How the Economy for the Common Good Wants to Change the World

                  Rewarding “Good” Companies—How the Economy for the Common Good Wants to Change the World

                  Redistributing 11 billion dollars: Colombia’s left-wing president wants to fight poverty with a wealth tax

                  Redistributing 11 billion dollars: Colombia’s left-wing president wants to fight poverty with a wealth tax

                  Ban or regulate: The world searches for a way to deal with cryptocurrencies

                  Ban or regulate: The world searches for a way to deal with cryptocurrencies

                  Bolivia: Less poverty and booming economy through nationalisation of mineral resources

                  Bolivia: Less poverty and booming economy through nationalisation of mineral resources

                  “Creating Prosperity Together”: How the social economy model saved the English city of Preston

                  “Creating Prosperity Together”: How the social economy model saved the English city of Preston

                  Amazon continues to destroy new goods and returns 

                  Amazon continues to destroy new goods and returns 

                  Trending Tags

                  • Fashion
                    Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

                    Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

                    Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

                    Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

                    Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

                    Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

                    Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

                    Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

                    The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

                    The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

                    Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

                    Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

                    Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

                    Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

                    The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

                    The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

                    Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

                    Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

                    Trending Tags

                    • Food & Drink
                      Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

                      Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

                      Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

                      Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

                      Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

                      Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

                      How the wine you choose can help you have an eco-friendly home

                      How the Wine You Choose Can Help You have an Eco-Friendly Home

                      Rum and Cola Holiday Ham

                      Special Centerpieces for Holiday Celebrations

                      ChefsGiving 2020

                      This Holiday Season, How about Cooking for a Cause?

                      Iced Cold Moscow Mule cocktail with lime and pomegranate

                      Holiday Spirits: The Cranberry Smash Moscow Mule

                      The Most Beautiful Liquor Bottles in the World

                      The Most Beautiful Liquor Bottles in the World

                      Tao Group Virtual Chef Experience

                      Entertain Your Guests Virtually This Fall ?

                      Trending Tags

                      • Health
                        California Confronts the Threat of ‘Tranq’ as Overdose Crisis Rages

                        California Confronts the Threat of ‘Tranq’ as Overdose Crisis Rages

                        Our 300th Episode!

                        Our 300th Episode!

                        As Medicaid Purge Begins, ‘Staggering Numbers’ of Americans Lose Coverage

                        As Medicaid Purge Begins, ‘Staggering Numbers’ of Americans Lose Coverage

                        Health Care Coalition Jockeys Over Medi-Cal Spending, Eyes Ballot Initiative

                        Health Care Coalition Jockeys Over Medi-Cal Spending, Eyes Ballot Initiative

                        How a Medical Recoding May Limit Cancer Patients’ Options for Breast Reconstruction

                        How a Medical Recoding May Limit Cancer Patients’ Options for Breast Reconstruction

                        Cardiovascular Disease Is Primed to Kill More Older Adults, Especially Blacks and Hispanics

                        Cardiovascular Disease Is Primed to Kill More Older Adults, Especially Blacks and Hispanics

                        Newsom and Democratic Lawmakers at Odds Over Billions in Health Care Funds

                        Newsom and Democratic Lawmakers at Odds Over Billions in Health Care Funds

                        Many People Living in the ‘Diabetes Belt’ Are Plagued With Medical Debt

                        Many People Living in the ‘Diabetes Belt’ Are Plagued With Medical Debt

                        A Catch-22 for Clinics: State Bans Limit Abortion Counseling. Federal Title X Rules Require It.

                        A Catch-22 for Clinics: State Bans Limit Abortion Counseling. Federal Title X Rules Require It.

                        Trending Tags

                        • Lifestyle

                          The History and Meaning of Memorial Day

                          Ways To Make Your Partner Feel Loved and Appreciated

                          Ways To Make Your Partner Feel Loved and Appreciated

                          Values and principles, even when faced with temptations, challenges, or potential negative consequences.

                          Acknowledging Racism within Familial and Social Circles: An Examination of Cognitive Dissonance and Socio-Cultural Factors

                          Definition of ethics

                          The Interconnectedness of Racial Opinions and Ethics

                          Sacrifice States: the US Nuclear Sponge

                          woman with gun near thief at night in parking lot

                          Why it’s Important to know Your 2nd Amendment Rights

                          Tips for Growing a Fuller and Healthier Beard

                          Tips for Growing a Fuller and Healthier Beard

                          Fulfilling Side Hustles for Good Money in 2023

                          Fulfilling Side Hustles for Good Money in 2023

                          5 Tips on How To Run Your First Charity Event

                          5 Tips on How To Run Your First Charity Event

                          Trending Tags

                          • Politics
                            OpenSecrets releases report on out-of-state donations’ rising role

                            OpenSecrets releases report on out-of-state donations’ rising role

                            Independent Sen. Krysten Sinema continues using liberal platforms to fundraise for 2024 reelection campaign

                            Independent Sen. Krysten Sinema continues using liberal platforms to fundraise for 2024 reelection campaign

                            Watchdog bites Ron DeSantis for alleged “soft money” campaign finance violation

                            Watchdog bites Ron DeSantis for alleged “soft money” campaign finance violation

                            Press Release: Over 30,000 White House financial disclosures to be made public in first for transparency and accountability

                            Press Release: Over 30,000 White House financial disclosures to be made public in first for transparency and accountability

                            Pro-Ron DeSantis super PAC to inherit state-level PAC war chest to support presidential run

                            Pro-Ron DeSantis super PAC to inherit state-level PAC war chest to support presidential run

                            Definition of ethics

                            The Interconnectedness of Racial Opinions and Ethics

                            Spyware firm NSO Group continues lobbying efforts to resume business-as-usual in the U.S.

                            Spyware firm NSO Group continues lobbying efforts to resume business-as-usual in the U.S.

                            Joe Manchin vows to block “radical climate agenda,” rakes in oil and gas industry contributions

                            Joe Manchin vows to block “radical climate agenda,” rakes in oil and gas industry contributions

                            Adam Schiff heads into California’s 2024 U.S. Senate race with a sizable cash advantage

                            Adam Schiff heads into California’s 2024 U.S. Senate race with a sizable cash advantage

                            Trending Tags

                            • Real Estate
                              Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                              Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                              How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                              How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                              Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                              Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                              Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                              Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                              Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                              Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                              Ways To Decorate and Design a Lake House

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                              The Best Landlord: How To Show Tenants You Care

                              The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

                              The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

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                              Biden administration opens the door for Chevron to resume oil pumping in Venezuela after lobbying push against sanctions

                              by Staff Writer
                              November 30, 2022
                              in Politics
                              Biden administration opens the door for Chevron to resume oil pumping in Venezuela after lobbying push against sanctions
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                              Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the COP27 climate conference at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre in Egypt on Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)

                              The U.S. Treasury Department’s Nov. 26 announcement easing sanctions on Venezuela comes after years of domestic lobbying and foreign influence operations fighting restrictions that have barred companies like Chevron from pumping oil in the country since 2019. 

                              The move will allow the California-based multinational oil and gas company to resume pumping oil from Venezuela for the first time since former President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sanctions against the Venezuelan state-run oil company Petróleous de Venezuela (PDVSA) in 2019. Chevron partners with affiliates of the country’s state-owned oil company, according to its website.

                              President Joe Biden’s administration moved to ease sanctions after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro established a fund for humanitarian relief and agreed to continue talks with the opposition coalition led by Juan Guaidó ahead of the country’s 2024 elections. The U.S. officially recognized Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president in January 2019 after the Trump administration denounced Maduro’s reelection as illegitimate.

                              A statement from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control called the agreements “important steps in the right direction to restore democracy” in Venezuela. The license will remain in effect for six months while the Biden administration assesses whether the Maduro government meets commitments made in the accord.

                              The Biden administration’s willingness to ease pressure on Maduro comes amid a global energy crisis due to restrictions on Russian oil following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

                              A U.S. delegation visited Venezuela in March, fueling speculation that the Biden administration was looking to the oil-rich country to offset the loss of Russian oil.

                              After October reports that the White House was considering easing sanctions on Venezuela, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) called the move “national security suicide,” complaining that Biden would go “on bended knee to dictators in countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia & Venezuela.”

                              Biden’s July trip to Saudi Arabia – and infamous fist bump with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — were widely considered an effort to lower record-high gas prices. But OPEC+ cut production in October.

                              In his first public comments about the OPEC+ decision, Biden expressed disappointment, noting “we’re looking at what alternatives we may have.” 

                              The multinational fossil fuel lobby 

                              Chevron ranks among the top oil and gas industry lobbying spenders with almost $5.4 million paid to lobbyists in the first three quarters of 2022 alone. In 2021, Chevron’s lobbying spending topped $6.7 million.

                              Lobbying disclosures covering the first three quarters of 2022 indicate that Chevron’s lobbyists worked on several issues, including Venezuela.

                              The multinational oil company’s influence is not limited to its lobbying largess. Affiliates of Chevron also poured $7.4 million more into political contributions during the 2022 election cycle.

                              Entities tied to Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, which is part of the joint venture with Chevron, have also pushed back on sanctions. 

                              U.S.-based oil refiner Citgo is considered the most valuable of Venezuela’s overseas assets. But Citgo distanced itself from its Caracas-based parent companyPDVSA in 2019 after the U.S. imposed sanctions as part of a larger effort to support Guaidó and push for Maduro’s ouster. 

                              Venezuela’s oil industry accounts for the vast majority of the country’s export earnings, and the move allowed CITGO to continue operating in the U.S. But U.S. companies need a license from the Treasury Department to have joint ventures with PDVSA or import oil from Venezuela. Without a license, U.S. sanctions bar Citgo from processing crude oil produced by PDVSA, though the company has applied for authorization.

                              In May, Biden’s administration granted authorization to Spain-based multinational energy company Repsol and Italy-based Eni, enabling them to resume shipping Venezuelan crude oil to Europe. 

                              Repsol spent an all-time high of $570,000 lobbying the U.S. in 2021 on issues including “U.S. trade policy,” “U.S. foreign policy relating to Venezuela,” and “U.S. policies pertaining to liquefied natural gas imports.” In the first three quarters of 2022, the company spent $540,000 on lobbying in the U.S. — putting it on track for another record year.

                              After the Trump administration’s 2019 crackdown, Venezuela’s influence operations targeting the U.S. ramped up.

                              Since 2019, Venezuelan interests have spent more than $10 million on lobbying and influence operations targeting the U.S., according to OpenSecrets’ analysis of FARA and lobbying filings. Most of those efforts have focused around pushing back on oil sanctions.

                              Entities affiliated with Citgo or PDVSA have spent more than $3.5 million of that on lobbying and influence efforts in the U.S. since the start of the Biden administration. 

                              PDV Holding (PDVH), the parent company of Citgo, is used to pay foreign agents in Foreign Agent Registration Act filings as part of recent efforts “to protect the assets of PDVH and its subsidiaries from seizure or diminution in value by creditors of the Maduro regime.”

                              While the foreign principal is listed as the PDVSA Ad Hoc Board, foreign agents affiliated with Citgo and PDVH emphasize that their relationship with the board “derives solely from PDVSA’s ownership” of the holding companies. Foreign agents claim neither PDV Holding nor Citgo Holding have an agreement with the PDVSA Ad Hoc Board “for the activities relevant to this registration.”

                              Foreign agents reported several meetings and calls with congressional offices as well as with government officials with the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela, the Treasury Department, and the Department of State. Members of Congress meeting in person or by videoconference with foreign agents this year to “discuss protection of assets” include Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas). 

                              Filings by foreign agents at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher indicate that they reported activities under FARA because their agreement with PDV Holdings, which is described as a “wholly owned subsidiary of PDVSA, may under certain circumstances require registration for activities benefitting the PDVSA Ad Hoc Board.” But the firm’s FARA filings emphasize that it “never entered into any engagement agreement with PDVSA, the Ad Hoc Board of PDVSA, or the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and has no receipts from any of those entities.”

                              Willkie, Farr & Gallagher reported more than $134,000 payments from the holding company between March and April of this year. The firm also provided legal services exempt from being reported under FARA. 

                              Davis, Goldberg & Galper — a firm that also represents Dmytro Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch who made billions as a middleman for Russia state-controlled gas company Gazprom – reported providing legal counsel to Citgo and “educating U.S. stakeholders” about litigation that could change control of the refining company. That “included strategic communications efforts such as drafting communications and messaging,” FARA filings show.

                              Venezuela has paid Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer more than $3.2 million since 2020 for foreign influence operations reported under FARA with about $2.3 million of that in 2021 alone. The firm has represented the opposition coalition on several issues, including a long-running legal battle seeking to prevent the Bank of England from releasing about $2 billion of Venezuela’s gold to Maduro’s regime.

                              Other firms enlisted by Venezuelan interests include the Global Strategic Initiative and Klein/Johnson Group.

                              Citgo reported paying another $380,000 to lobbyists in the first three quarters of 2022 in Lobbying Disclosure Act filings, with $170,000 of that going to lobbying in the third quarter alone. The oil refiner’s spending in the first three quarters of this year tops its $280,000 in total federal lobbying spending in 2021. In the third quarter of 2022, Citgo’s lobbyists reported lobbying the Energy Department and U.S. House on “operational preparedness and supply chain management, as well as matters of policy and regulation relating to the fuel industry.” 

                              State-owned Venezuelan companies grapple with clashes over control

                              The U.S. Treasury Department has largely insulated Citgo and its holding companies from legal claims since 2019, with the U.S. oil refining subsidiary remaining controlled by the Venezuelan opposition coalition during that time. But disputes over Citgo’s control have continued to play out in U.S. courts, complicated further by the lengthy fight for control of Venezuela’s government and sanctions. 

                              In October, a U.S. federal judge ordered a bidding process to sell shares in the holding company that owns Citgo. Proceeds from the auction would be used to repay about $1 billion in debt owed to Crystallex, a Canadian mining company that had a gold deposit in Venezuela seized by the South American country about a decade ago. 

                              Citgo’s U.S. government protection currently prevents the sale from going through, but the judge set a six-month window on the process. If the Treasury Department does allow a sale, a court-appointed special master would launch the bidding process to sell as many shares as needed.

                              Multinational oil company ConocoPhillips and a range of other creditors are also seeking to collect on their debts from a potential sale of Citgo. 

                              After the October order, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela, James Story, met with Venezuelan politicians in Panama to urge the Venezuelan opposition members that control Citgo to negotiate with creditors to avoid a court-ordered sale of the refiner’s parent company.

                              Third quarter earnings of $477 million enabled Citgo to “pay a dividend that was used to fund the repayment of $483 million of debt,” the Venezuelan-owned company announced Nov.10. The company’s total pre-tax profits for the first nine months this year reached nearly $3.2 billion amid global oil and gas shortages after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

                              Citgo is not the only state-owned Venezuelan company spending on foreign influence in the U.S. in the face of turmoil over its ownership.

                              In 2019, Venezuela’s opposition coalition gained control over Monómeros Colombo Venezolanos S.A., a subsidiary of Venezuelan state-owned petrochemical company Pequiven. The Colombia-based agrochemical producer is considered Venezuela’s second most important foreign-held asset after Citgo. 

                              But in January of this year, Colombia’s Corporation Superintendency announced it had retained control over Venezuelan state-owned Monómeros Colombo-Venezolanos S.A. By September, Maduro’s regime regained control of Monómeros Colombo Venezolanos S.A. with the support of new Colombian president Gustavo Petro, who, unlike his predecessor, recognizes Maduro as the legitimate ruler of Venezuela.

                              Colombian authorities have asked the U.S. to exclude the company from sanctions on Venezuela but the company currently remains in legal limbo. In a meeting this month, Maduro and Colombia’s president further discussed cooperation on the company’s work.

                              Between May and August of this year, Monómeros Colombo Venezolanos S.A. also paid $110,000 to the Global Strategic Initiative for lobbying, FARA records show. 

                              The firm’s foreign agents reported regular contact with U.S. State Department officials about the company’s OFAC license, which would allow it to operate in the U.S. The main foreign agent on the account, Otto Reich, is a former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela.


                              source
                              Source: OpenSecrets.org

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