By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Donald Trump expressed a reluctance to include ExxonMobil in Venezuela’s oil ventures, citing dissatisfaction with the company’s response to investment opportunities. Trump had previously met with oil executives to reassure them about direct dealings with the U.S., but ExxonMobil’s CEO, Darren Woods, deemed the current commercial framework in Venezuela “uninvestable.” Furthermore, Trump signed an executive order safeguarding Venezuelan oil revenue from judicial proceedings to promote economic stability. The administration prioritizes U.S. oil companies’ investment in Venezuela to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.
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The whole situation surrounding Trump and ExxonMobil’s potential involvement in Venezuela is just…bizarre. It’s like watching a child have a tantrum because a grown-up simply isn’t interested in playing his game. It all started when the former President seemed keen on having American oil companies, specifically ExxonMobil, jump into Venezuela, possibly believing they were all eager to invest in the country’s oil reserves. But then came the meeting. The CEO of Exxon, bless his heart, laid it all out. Venezuela, in no uncertain terms, was “uninvestable.” They’d been burned before, having their assets seized, and were understandably hesitant about a third go-around.
This is where the story gets good. Instead of taking the hint, the President, allegedly “inclined” to block Exxon’s involvement, seemed to get offended. He didn’t like the CEO’s response, calling it “playing too cute.” It’s as though he thought he was doing Exxon a favor! The truth is, ExxonMobil didn’t want in, and the President is acting like it’s his decision to exclude them. It’s a classic case of a politician not listening to what he is being told and instead focusing on the theatrics. The President seems to have missed the memo. The company isn’t interested! Why else would they refer to the location as “uninvestable?”
This response highlights just how disconnected from reality the former President can be. It’s not about them not wanting to invest; it’s about him making it seem like it’s his choice, as if they needed his permission to not make a disastrous investment. He really wants it to appear he’s in control, even if he’s the last to know the actual game plan. Imagine trying to “fire” someone who’s already walked out the door. It’s ludicrous. It’s like telling someone, “You’re banned from dating me!” after they’ve already rejected you. What is this, high school?
Let’s be clear: ExxonMobil had already politely declined the invitation to invest. They weren’t interested. They knew it wasn’t a good opportunity and was likely to be a lose-lose situation. And now, the President seems intent on keeping them out of a venture they already stated they didn’t want to be a part of. It’s like, “You don’t want the candy? Fine, you can’t have it!” It’s the kind of logic you’d expect from a spoiled toddler, not someone running a country. It’s about Trump being mad that a company wouldn’t listen to him. It’s not just a power play; it’s personal.
Then there’s the context. The U.S. government actually advised its citizens to leave Venezuela due to security concerns. That alone should tell you something about the investment climate there. The President’s actions are making promises that hold little weight. Oil companies, knowing his track record, are understandably wary. They’ve seen his history of broken deals and betrayals. They know better than to believe his assurances. He’s behaving like a mobster, dividing up the spoils of a territory he doesn’t control among his friends, rather than seeing a country’s oil as a potential benefit to the American people.
The President is acting like the Sun King, deciding which companies can participate in an “illegal foreign occupation project.” The whole thing stinks of cronyism, potentially benefiting a mega-donor. This is fascism at its finest. They’re going to keep Exxon out of a place they’ve made it clear they don’t want to go? It’s like he’s trying to teach them a lesson. He’s making himself out to be the master negotiator when in reality, Exxon already said “no.” He’s basically saying, “You don’t want it? Well, someone else will get it!” The reality is, the company doesn’t want it, and this is probably the best outcome for them.
This whole episode is an embarrassment. It’s a case of him trying to save face. He clearly didn’t listen to a word of what ExxonMobil actually said. It’s like a bad comedy routine. The CEO made it plain as day; they are staying away. To reiterate, the company is not interested. But in the President’s mind, Exxon’s resistance is a personal affront. It’s just sad. It is also quite clear that the CEO is relieved they won’t have to invest millions in a location where the company is unlikely to see a positive return on investment.
So, here we have it. A president throwing a childish fit because a company politely declined to participate in a risky venture. This president thinks that he has control, but in reality, ExxonMobil is calling the shots, and they are saying, “No thanks.”