Americano Does America need Venezuela’s oil?
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Jan 7, 2026 Freddy Gray talks with Robert Bryce, an insightful energy writer and analyst known for his expertise in oil and electricity, about America's complex relationship with Venezuelan oil. They dive into the strategic importance of heavy crude and how U.S. concerns about adversaries like China and Russia shape policy. Robert explains the dire state of Venezuela's electricity grid and the long road ahead for recovery, while also highlighting the risks of corruption and kleptocracy in potential reconstruction efforts. Expect a riveting discussion about energy's role in geopolitics!
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Oil As A Geopolitical Power Base
- Oil is the base of national power and the core reason the US targeted Venezuela.
- The strategic issue is control of Venezuela's oil, not merely access to its barrels.
Refinery Feedstock Mismatch
- U.S. refiners on the Gulf Coast are built for heavy, sour crude while U.S. production is light sweet.
- That mismatch makes Venezuelan heavy crude strategically valuable to U.S. and global refiners.
Be Cautious With Venezuelan Investments
- Expect U.S. companies to proceed cautiously when investing in Venezuelan oil due to decades of neglect and corruption.
- Prioritize security and vetting before large capital deployments into PDVSA assets.