Venezuela's opposition asks oil companies to stick to democracy

FILE PHOTO: Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido speaks to supporters during an anti-war protest outside the offices of the European Union, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Caracas, Venezuela March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido on Thursday called on energy companies with joint ventures in the country to stick to democracy, amid talks over the possibility of the United States easing oil sanctions on the OPEC member nation.

Chevron Corp, the last U.S. producer operating in Venezuela, is preparing to take control of its joint ventures in the country if Washington relaxes sanctions on Caracas to boost crude supplies to the United States, which is trying to find alternative barrels after banning Russia's oil.