WASHINGTON (USA) (ITALPRESS) – “China and Russia can buy all the oil they need from the United States.” President Donald Trump said this during a meeting with the leaders of the leading US oil companies in the White House, where he discussed the return of companies in the Venezuelan energy sector and the reconstruction of infrastructure in the South American country. Trump said that oil companies will spend at least $100 billion of their funds to modernize the Venezuelan energy sector, without the need for federal funding, but underlining the importance of security and security guaranteed by the government to operate safely.
The administration intends to personally decide which companies will have access to Venezuelan oil, in a direct trading mechanism with the United States, bypassing Venezuelan leadership. Trump defined Venezuela as a “completely different” country and said that the initiative will also benefit the American people, reducing oil prices, and announced that the United States will begin to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil, with activities that will continue indefinitely.
ExxonMobil’s CEO, Darren Woods, explained that the company cannot invest without significant changes to Venezuela’s legal and regulatory framework, underlining the need for lasting investment, political stability and security, as well as changes to the hydrocarbon laws that today oblige foreign companies to joint venture by government majority with high taxes. Woods indicated that Exxon could send reconnaissance teams over the next two weeks to assess infrastructure and prepare for a larger return.
In parallel, the United States seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, the third in a week, consolidating American control over Venezuelan oil exports. Trump has stated that a second wave of military attacks will not be necessary thanks to the cooperation of Venezuela in the liberation of political prisoners and in the management of energy infrastructure, but has specified that the ships of the Navy remain displaced off the coast of Venezuela for security reasons.
The Venezuelan government announced the release of nine political prisoners, including five Spanish citizens, as the first step towards the cooperation required by the United States. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez stated that there are no plans for foreign travel in the near future, focusing on internal stability. According to Trump during the meeting, María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuelan opposition and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, will be guest at the White House next week. During the meeting and in public communications, Trump reiterated that the United States is going very well with the Venezuelan people, both with people and with those who govern the country, confirmed the investment of 100 billion dollars of private companies and stressed that the return of investments will bring benefits to the American people. He also specified that a fleet remains ready off the coast of Venezuela to guarantee security and has confirmed that its administration will decide which companies will participate directly to the management of Venezuelan oil.
In addition to the energy sector, Trump announced that he will meet Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House in the first week of February to discuss the fight against drug trafficking and regional security. Meanwhile, Venezuela has initiated an exploratory diplomatic process with the United States to restore diplomatic missions and manage the consequences of the capture of Maduro. The Spanish government reiterated its support for a peaceful and negotiated transition to Venezuela, while the Colombian president asked Delcy Rodríguez to cooperate in the fight against drug trafficking.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
