Washington: There is ‘No Confusion,’ Chevron Will Lose License in Venezuela on May 27

Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce insisted that US oil company Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela will be revoked on May 27. This statement contradicted White House special envoy Richard Grenell’s claim of a 60-day extension.

During a May 22 press conference, Bruce confirmed Secretary Marco Rubio’s position on the Chevron case, stating there is no “confusion” about the issue and asserting Rubio’s authority to “influence and make decisions.”

“What I will speak to is… Secretary Rubio making it clear that the license is going to expire, and so that is what I take my lead from is his remarks in that regard, so there is no confusion,” she said, referencing Rubio’s social media post.

Bruce’s remarks align with Rubio’s public statement that the license initially granted by former President Joe Biden will expire on the established date and not be renewed. She added that the directive follows orders from President Donald Trump.

This clashes with Grenell’s announcement on Steve Bannon’s program, where he discussed Chevron’s 60-day extension after talks with Venezuela’s government. Grenell also noted progress with Caracas, including the release of US military officer Joseph St. Clair, who was detained in Zulia state since November on terrorism charges.

Reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reiterated that the Trump administration planned to extend Chevron’s OFAC license (General License 41a) for another 60 days. Thus, there is an evident contradiction coming from the US government.

Economic experts warn Chevron’s departure could cut $3 billion in revenue to Venezuela, trigger inflation, and devalue the bolivar, reversing four years of economic recovery. However, Venezuelan authorities and other experts argue the impact will be less severe than the 2019 sanctions crisis, citing the Maduro administration’s improved ability to navigate US sanctions.

Trump’s political survival vs Trump’s diplomacy
On Thursday, Axios reported that President Trump salvaged his spending bill on Wednesday by agreeing to let Chevron’s Venezuela oil license expire May 27, overriding Grenell’s push for a 60-day extension. The move appeased Secretary of State Marco Rubio and three Miami-area House Republicans—Carlos Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Maria Elvira Salazar—who vehemently opposed the deal, arguing it enriches the Venezuelan government.

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With a razor-thin House GOP majority, Trump’s team scrambled to avoid losing the Miami lawmakers’ votes, already jeopardized by Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s opposition. Grenell’s unilateral extension announcement blindsided the White House, Treasury, and Rubio’s allies, who viewed it as a betrayal of Trump’s February pledge to cancel the license. On Wednesday, Rubio and Giménez lobbied Trump directly, arguing China would not fill Chevron’s void and reminding him of his promise. “You cannot make it look like you are negotiating. It is delicate,” an insider noted as Axios reported.

The concession secured the Miami lawmakers’ votes, passing the bill Thursday. The episode highlighted Trump’s transactional governance: abandoning Grenell’s prisoner-swap diplomacy to placate exiles pivotal in Florida’s electoral landscape. While Chevron warned of Chinese gains, critics dismissed the risks, citing Venezuela’s costly, low-quality oil and China’s lackluster prior investments. However, Venezuela and China have been signaling greater rapprochement in recent months, and many analysts see China as an easy successor for Chevron, directly or indirectly.

Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff

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