WASHINGTON, WILLEMSTAD - The United States has responded to the request from the Curacao government not to hit the Isla refinery even tougher by sanctions against Venezuelan state oil company PdVSA.

The US Department of Finance has today announced that it will issue a specific license for the activities of Refineria di Korsou, Curacao Refinery Utilities and Curoil. That means that despite the sanctions, they can continue to develop operational activities and that (American) partners can continue to do business with these Curacao public companies.

The indemnification applies provisionally until January 15, 2020. The US decision increases the chances of keeping the Isla operational and at the same time removes a barrier for candidates that want to take over the operation of the refinery. The details of the license have yet to be studied. Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath travels to Washington in mid-May for further consultation.