CITGO is an oil company valued at more than $8 billion, with more than 10,000 gas stations in the US. It is said to generate more than $1 billion in profits annually.
So by this auction, CITGO is to be sold to an American-Israeli firm whose general manager is linked to opposition politician Juan Guaido, according to Rodriguez. Venezuelan authorities see it as a takeover.
Apparently, the sale of CITGO is a plan by Guaido and former US President Donald Trump, and Rodriguez has evidence of this.
Control of the company passed to the opposition as a result of sanctions that the US imposed on Venezuela in 2019. Immediately after, the US Treasury Department accepted a license under which the opposition can not only manage the company but also put its shares and assets up for sale.
And now with this auction, the sale could actually take place, according to Rodriguez.
President Nicolas Maduro earlier called this an attempt to steal the property of the Venezuelan people.