A Venezuelan oil sector worker of Petroindependencia SA, a PDVSA-Chevron joint venture in Venezuela. Photo: Chevron.
The recent actions of the government of US President Donald Trump are favorable for Venezuela in terms of oil and diplomatic recognition, according to the Venezuelan opposition-aligned economist based in the United States, Francisco RodrĂguez.
In a series of social media posts published on Saturday, February 1, RodrĂguez stated that it is relevant that Trump has not decided to apply tariffs on Venezuelan crude oil amid his recent controversial economic measures, including the announcement of a 10% tariff on Canadian oil and a 25% tariff on Mexican oil.
“This means that while Canadian and Mexican oil are becoming more expensive due to tariffs, Venezuelan oil is imported [to the US] without any additional costs, giving it a price advantage over its competitors,” he wrote.
He noted that although “many expected Trump to revoke Chevron’s license in Venezuela, his decision instead ensures that Venezuelan oil can be sold at a more competitive price in the United States.”
1/ Dos desarrollos clave para Venezuela hoy: Trump anunciĂł un arancel del 10% al petrĂłleo canadiense y 25% al mexicano—pero ninguno al venezolano. TambiĂ©n dijo que “Venezuela ha acordado” aceptar migrantes deportados, reconociendo implĂcitamente a Maduro. 🧵
— Francisco RodrĂguez (@frrodriguezc) February 1, 2025
The Venezuelan economist also believes that Trump’s social media post claiming that “Venezuela has agreed” to accept deported migrants “implicitly acknowledges Maduro,” even though White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the opposite.
“But Trump’s words carry more weight. He refers to the Maduro government as the entity with which the United States negotiates,” highlighted RodrĂguez in his analysis of the recent actions of the Trump administration concerning Venezuela.
5/ El segundo desarrollo clave viene de un post de Trump esta mañana: "Venezuela ha acordado recibir, de regreso en su paĂs, a todos los venezolanos inmigrantes ilegales… Venezuela además ha acordado suministrar el transporte de regreso." pic.twitter.com/lcSKUsiVoJ
— Francisco RodrĂguez (@frrodriguezc) February 1, 2025
According to the economist, “this is key because when Trump says ‘Venezuela has agreed,’ he is referring to the Maduro government.”
He also explained that “diplomatic recognition is about which government you are negotiating with, not about legitimacy,” thus showing his clear alignment with Washington’s decades-long narrative of the government of Venezuela being illegitimate, without acknowledging the fact that Chavismo is a powerful movement with historical anti-imperialist foundations.
OFAC License 41
The US Treasury Department renewed the license that allows Chevron to continue operations in Venezuela. Through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the US government renewed License 41 , which is valid for a period of six months, allowing Chevron to continue its operations in the countryVenezuela.
The renewal came after the meeting between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the special envoy of US President Donald Trump, Richard Grenell, at the Miraflores Palace on Friday, January 31. According to analysts, the two developments are not necessary connected, nevertheless, it does go against the wishes of Venezuelan and international far-right operatives.
Prior to the renewal, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said that the oil corporation was seeking to protect its operating license in Venezuela, especially after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested suspending it. Chevron’s operations in Venezuela produce around 200,000 barrels of oil per day, representing a little less than 25% of Venezuela’s current oil exports.
(Ăšltimas Noticias) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SC
