Industry showed little interest, citing sanctions and political risk tied to regime-change strategy.
Politico reported that President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated direct contacts with major U.S. oil companies to explore a possible return to Venezuela once President Nicolas Maduro is removed from power.
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The Trump administration has sounded out companies such as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips about their willingness to resume operations in Venezuelan territory in a “post-Maduro” scenario. However, the industry’s response has been negative, due to low crude prices, instability created by sanctions and the political risk associated with Washington’s regime-change strategy.
Led by the State Department, the initiative constitutes new evidence that the escalation of diplomatic, military, and economic pressure against Venezuela is directly linked to control of the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
Currently, low crude prices give Trump unusual leeway to intensify pressure on Caracas without immediate fear of higher fuel prices in the U.S. market. At the same time, those prices discourage companies from investing in a Venezuelan industry battered by years of sanctions and financial blockade.
It's pathetic. Only 3 Republicans–Massie, Bacon and MTG–dared to vote with the Constitution to stop Trump's unauthorized attacks on Venezuela. 70% of Americans don't want war w/ Venezuela. So who are these 213 members representing? Trump? Oil companies? Weapons industry? pic.twitter.com/pQaCJQkuD2
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) December 17, 2025
“There isn’t much interest from the industry,” a source cited by the U.S. outlet acknowledged, noting that there are more profitable and less risky options in other countries, while Venezuela remains the target of an aggressive policy of containment and threats.
In late November, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other officials also facilitated a meeting in Washington with the participation of representatives of U.S. oil companies and sectors of the Venezuelan far-right opposition, aimed at discussing a possible corporate return under new political conditions.
In parallel with these contacts, Trump publicly announced a naval blockade against vessels transporting Venezuelan oil, stating that the United States “will not allow a hostile regime to keep our oil,” a declaration that Caracas and various countries have described as a direct threat to sovereignty and an act of modern piracy.
The timing of the tanker blockade, U.S. military operations in regional waters and contacts with energy corporations reinforces the thesis that policy toward Venezuela reflects a comprehensive pressure strategy designed to force a change of government favorable to Washington’s energy interests.
Donald Trump imposed a naval blockade on Venezuela and admitted that he wants to take the country's oil and give it to US corporations:
"They took our oil rights. We had a lot of oil there. They threw our companies out, and we want it back". pic.twitter.com/JQhJRNFeIy
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) December 18, 2025
Although companies such as Chevron maintain limited operations under special licenses, most U.S. oil companies recall the expropriations that occurred during the government of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. They express caution about reinvesting in a country subject to sanctions, military threats and a persistent narrative of destabilization.
Experts cited by the U.S. outlet warn that there is a significant gap between the White House’s desires and economic and geopolitical reality.
From Caracas, the Venezuelan government has repeatedly denounced the blockade and sanctions as part of a strategy to seize its natural resources, while reiterating its decision to maintain crude exports, defend freedom of navigation and uphold international law.
The disclosure of these corporate contacts adds to recent international condemnations, including those from Russia and other countries, warning of the danger of a broader escalation in Latin America.
It's not just US piracy against Venezuela that has people in South America worried. The Trump administration's announcement that it's bringing back the bloody Monroe Doctrine has set off alarms across the continent. My story @telesurenglish pic.twitter.com/wudMYrzvdM
— BrianMier (@BrianMteleSUR) December 18, 2025
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Source: Politico – teleSUR
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