Trump's Venezuela oil pledge stalls amid inter-agency clash over wildcatters

Eight months after the U.S. forced out Nicolás Maduro, no American oil firms have signed deals in Venezuela, and officials blame the Energy Department for the delay.

Following the January effort that ousted former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, President Trump repeatedly assured that U.S. oil companies would invest in rebuilding Venezuela’s dilapidated energy infrastructure. Nearly eight months later, no American firms have secured agreements, and a senior official has singled out the Department of Energy for the lack of progress. Large majors like Exxon and ConocoPhillips have taken a cautious stance, whereas smaller, risk-taking wildcatters claim they are disadvantaged by the department’s preferred approach.

Mauricio Claver-Carone, a former senior adviser on Venezuela, said the administration had promised unrestricted access to all U.S. producers but instead imposed burdensome conditions. State Department officials are now urging acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez to sign more contracts with wildcatters, while the Energy Department spokesperson asserts ongoing talks to unlock Venezuela’s resources for both nations.