So, the situation appears to be that Trump is saying he’s going to keep Exxon out of Venezuela’s oil industry. But, and this is a pretty big “but,” Exxon seems to be the one who doesn’t *want* in. It’s almost like a child throwing a tantrum, declaring they’re not inviting someone to a party the person wasn’t even planning on attending.
The crux of the matter seems to be Exxon’s assessment that the whole Venezuelan oil situation isn’t a good investment. They’ve essentially said, “It’s uninvestable,” which, coming from a major oil company, is pretty telling. It looks like they’re seeing a bunch of red flags: the low quality of the oil, the logistical nightmares of getting it out, and the sheer cost of modernizing the infrastructure.… Continue reading
In a recent Truth Social post, Donald Trump declared himself the “acting president of Venezuela,” sharing an edited screenshot of his Wikipedia page to support the claim. This follows his suggestion that he would “run” Venezuela after U.S. forces, allegedly, abducted its leader, Nicolás Maduro, for “narcoterrorism” charges. Trump plans to control the country’s oil reserves, including seeking $100 billion in investment to revive its oil production, though he is also considering blocking ExxonMobil from participating, due to the company’s CEO calling the country “uninvestable.” Trump has provided no timeline for elections in Venezuela, while suggesting that the Venezuelan government would transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S.
Read More
Trump Cancels Second Attack on Venezuela, Cites Cooperation
The headline read that former President Trump had called off a second wave of attacks on Venezuela, and the reasoning given was an improvement in cooperation from the South American country. According to his Truth Social post, Venezuela was “working well” with the United States on rebuilding its oil and gas infrastructure, and also releasing a significant number of political prisoners. Therefore, another round of military action didn’t seem necessary, at least for now. This announcement immediately impacted the markets, with oil prices adjusting slightly. The move was particularly interesting given that the Trump administration was simultaneously pushing U.S.… Continue reading
Following the removal of Nicolás Maduro, the political landscape in Venezuela is shifting as the existing regime tightens its control. Despite initial hopes for a new government after Maduro’s capture, there has been no release of political prisoners, and the government is cracking down on any dissent. A classified intelligence assessment suggests that top members of the Maduro regime are best positioned to maintain stability. This situation has led to mixed reactions, with some Venezuelans feeling disillusioned, while others remain optimistic about the prospect of change.
Read More
The White House claims control over Venezuela’s government despite the acting president’s assertion of independent rule after the removal of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. White House officials, including President Trump, are reportedly coordinating with Venezuelan “interim authorities,” with the U.S. supposedly dictating their decisions. This contradicts claims from acting president Delcy Rodriguez, who declared Venezuela’s government to be in charge. Trump’s decision to allow Rodriguez to lead, rather than installing opposition figures, is reportedly due to her military support and Trump’s disapproval of opposition leader Machado.
Read More
The author critiques the notion that Donald Trump’s actions regarding Venezuela constitute a “freedom agenda,” arguing that Trump’s primary focus is on securing Venezuela’s oil resources for American companies, not on promoting democracy or human rights. Trump has dismissed the legitimate democratic opposition and instead is working with Maduro’s Marxist vice president and has threatened violence. The author points out that Trump’s actions are driven by a desire for plunder and bullying, contrasting this with historical US interventions aimed at promoting freedom and democracy. Trump’s behavior is compared to the actions of an outlaw nation and the author’s final statement is, “This. Is. Not. True.”
Read More
In a recent announcement, President Trump stated Venezuela would provide between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S., with proceeds benefiting both nations. The White House is also organizing a meeting with U.S. oil executives to discuss increasing American investment in Venezuela’s oil industry. Meanwhile, officials have reported casualties from a U.S. military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, and the Venezuelan government is investigating the deaths. Despite political tensions and questions about oil production, discussions regarding the future of Venezuelan oil and its implications continue.
Read More
President Trump suggested US taxpayers could reimburse energy companies for repairing Venezuelan oil infrastructure, anticipating significant investment after a potential leadership change. The US energy secretary is slated to meet with representatives from Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil to discuss increasing Venezuelan production. These meetings are crucial to the administration’s goals of boosting exports, however, the three biggest US oil companies have yet to discuss the removal of Maduro with the administration. Despite the lack of prior communication, the White House believes the US oil industry is prepared to invest in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.
Read More
Trump says he’s prepared to send more US troops to Venezuela if the interim president doesn’t cooperate, and it’s difficult not to be immediately skeptical. The situation, as it seems, is a direct echo of past interventions, raising familiar questions about motives and consequences. If the initial aim was to arrest Maduro on drug charges, as suggested, why is cooperation from the Venezuelan government, led by an “interim president,” even necessary? This shift in the stated objectives feels less like a strategic plan and more like a demand, a “do what I say or else” scenario. The lack of transparency, especially the failure to release information justifying the earlier actions, doesn’t help build trust either.… Continue reading
Delcy Rodriguez formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president, and it’s difficult not to be struck by the immediate questions that arise. The whole situation feels unsettling, a bit like when a company’s leadership undergoes a sudden change. There’s an instinctive feeling that the fundamental issues haven’t been resolved, and perhaps the underlying problems will continue to persist.
Delcy Rodriguez formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president, and the core dilemma revolves around the United States’ justification for intervening in the first place. If the argument was that Maduro’s government was illegitimate and the Venezuelan people were suffering, why would his Vice President be a legitimate replacement?… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker