The Daily The United States' Aspirations for Venezuela's Oil
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Jan 13, 2026 
Anatoly Kurmanaev, a journalist for The New York Times, shares his insights on Venezuela's tumultuous oil industry. He highlights the historical ties between U.S. interests and Venezuela's oil, tracing back to early American involvement. The discussion reveals the complexities of nationalization and how political instability has led to economic collapse. Kurmanaev explains the massive investment needed to revive oil production and the geopolitical implications for the U.S. Should President Trump succeed, it could reshape oil dynamics and influence global power plays.
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Petrostate Identity Shapes Geopolitics
- Venezuela is a quintessential petrostate whose history and identity were built around oil and foreign investment.
- That legacy makes Venezuela a natural focal point for U.S. leaders who view geopolitics through energy control.
American Oilmen Built Venezuelan Towns
- American oil workers in the 1920s built towns, schools, and American-style suburbs around Venezuelan oil fields.
- Those communities transformed Venezuela's cities and middle class, leaving lasting cultural and infrastructural marks.
Nationalization Redefined Ownership
- Resource nationalism shifted global oil politics, culminating in Venezuela's 1970s nationalization and creation of PDVSA.
- That move reframed ownership so oil revenues would serve the nation rather than foreign corporations.