WSJ What’s News Trump’s Bet on Reviving Venezuela’s Broken Oil Industry
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Jan 5, 2026 Amrita Sen, founder of Energy Aspects, shares her insights on Venezuela's oil landscape amidst political turmoil. She explains that despite President Trump's claims, the revival of Venezuela's oil industry is a distant prospect due to decaying infrastructure and years of debt accumulation. Sen also weighs in on the reluctance of U.S. companies to reinvest in the region, citing significant legal and financial risks. Additionally, she highlights China's intricate loans-for-oil ties and their hold on Venezuelan assets, complicating U.S. efforts.
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U.S. Frames Control As Leverage Not Direct Rule
- The Trump administration claims leverage and influence in Venezuela but insists it isn't literally running the country.
- Marco Rubio framed U.S. leverage as military and conditional on local power-players acting in U.S. interests.
Drug Charges Reframe U.S. Actions
- Maduro faces U.S. narcotics charges alleging he led the 'Cartel of the Sun' tied to massive cocaine shipments.
- The administration may emphasize drug interdiction to frame its Venezuela actions as protecting U.S. interests.
Focus Messaging On Voter Priorities
- Democrats should avoid letting legal debates dominate and instead focus messaging on voters' economic concerns.
- Framing the operation as a limited drug-interdiction success could neutralize political fallout about priorities.