POLITICO Energy Trump sounds out Big Oil on Venezuela
Dec 22, 2025
Ben Lefebvre, POLITICO's deputy energy editor, delves into the Trump administration's covert discussions with major oil companies about re-entering Venezuela if Maduro is ousted. He highlights the White House's strategic foresight regarding Venezuela's energy future. However, oil companies are hesitant due to concerns over asset seizures, infrastructure decay, and security issues. Additionally, Lefebvre considers how fluctuations in oil prices and refinery capacity could influence interest and examines the ideological motivations behind Trump's oil outreach.
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Blockade And Posture Signal Strategic Shift
- The administration's recent actions include a complete blockade and military posturing around Venezuela.
- Those moves frame a broader strategy that now includes exploring post-Maduro commercial options with oil firms.
White House Planning Beyond Opportunism
- The Trump administration is thinking longer-term about Venezuela beyond opportunistic actions like seizing a ship.
- Officials are quietly planning for a post-Maduro energy landscape rather than just reacting day-to-day.
Companies Burned By Past Seizures
- Major oil firms were previously pushed out when Hugo Chávez forced joint ventures and seized assets.
- Ben Lefebvre says that decades of neglect left Venezuelan infrastructure like a junkyard, deterring companies from immediate return.