US President Donald Trump proposed a massive $100 billion investment in Venezuela's struggling energy sector, touting it as a means to lower global oil prices and ease costs for American consumers. However, top executives from major oil companies expressed deep skepticism about injecting such substantial capital into the country, citing unprofitability and government instability.
Several prominent energy giants have suffered significant losses in previous Venezuelan ventures, including Exxon Mobil, which saw its share price plummet due to Venezuela's economic crisis. The company's CEO, Darren Woods, stated that re-entering Venezuela a third time would require "significant changes" in the commercial frameworks and the country's legal system, making it currently "uninvestible."
When asked about the proposed plan, Trump claimed that oil companies "know the risks," but offered few assurances on how to prevent potential losses if the situation in Venezuela becomes unstable. He emphasized that his proposal envisions top executives from major oil companies spending at least $100 billion of their own money to boost Venezuelan oil production and drive down global prices to around $50 per barrel.
Trump also promised "total safety" and "total security" for oil workers in Venezuela, but these guarantees were woefully lacking in specifics. The plan would see revenue from the sale of Venezuelan oil routed into accounts controlled by the US government, with Trump asserting that this would allow the US to maintain control over Venezuela's government for an extended period.
The proposal has been met with criticism from international allies and election experts, who accuse Trump of interfering in Venezuela's affairs. The United Nations, along with other countries, have voiced concerns about Trump's stated goals, which some see as a thinly veiled attempt to gain influence over the country's oil reserves.
In a bizarre aside, Trump also discussed the possibility of acquiring Greenland from Denmark, warning that China or Russia would move in if the US doesn't act. This move could potentially threaten the existence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and upend the post-World War II security arrangement for Western nations.
Several prominent energy giants have suffered significant losses in previous Venezuelan ventures, including Exxon Mobil, which saw its share price plummet due to Venezuela's economic crisis. The company's CEO, Darren Woods, stated that re-entering Venezuela a third time would require "significant changes" in the commercial frameworks and the country's legal system, making it currently "uninvestible."
When asked about the proposed plan, Trump claimed that oil companies "know the risks," but offered few assurances on how to prevent potential losses if the situation in Venezuela becomes unstable. He emphasized that his proposal envisions top executives from major oil companies spending at least $100 billion of their own money to boost Venezuelan oil production and drive down global prices to around $50 per barrel.
Trump also promised "total safety" and "total security" for oil workers in Venezuela, but these guarantees were woefully lacking in specifics. The plan would see revenue from the sale of Venezuelan oil routed into accounts controlled by the US government, with Trump asserting that this would allow the US to maintain control over Venezuela's government for an extended period.
The proposal has been met with criticism from international allies and election experts, who accuse Trump of interfering in Venezuela's affairs. The United Nations, along with other countries, have voiced concerns about Trump's stated goals, which some see as a thinly veiled attempt to gain influence over the country's oil reserves.
In a bizarre aside, Trump also discussed the possibility of acquiring Greenland from Denmark, warning that China or Russia would move in if the US doesn't act. This move could potentially threaten the existence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and upend the post-World War II security arrangement for Western nations.