Key Takeaways:

• Delcy Rodriguez blends radical politics with practical deals to keep Venezuelan oil flowing.
• US oil embargo destroyed pipelines and refineries, making a quick recovery costly.
• Rival leader Maria Corina Machado wants full privatization, alarming big oil and OPEC.
• Vulture investor Paul Singer aims to seize CITGO, but Trump’s new order blocks him.
• Stability under Rodriguez appeals to the CIA and oil majors over risky opposition rule

Why the US Press is Confused About Delcy Rodriguez

The US news media calls Delcy Rodriguez everything from a hard-left firebrand to a secret Trump ally. However, the truth is she sits in the middle. She still rails against Trump as an “imperialist invader.” Yet she also offers tens of millions of barrels of oil to restore ties. In fact, she is a radical pragmatist. She hammers home slogans but knows realpolitik. That blend baffles many reporters.

Trump, Oil Embargo, and the Broken Pipelines

President Trump wants Venezuelan oil back in US tanks. But his own embargo stopped imports years ago. Since then, super-heavy crude in the Orinoco Basin congealed in pipes and refineries. Now those lines lie clogged or broken. Restoring them will cost up to $100 billion. Oil companies must rebuild what Trump himself destroyed. He now pressures firms to invest in his self-made mess.

Chavez’s Early Oil Proposal

Long before Trump’s moves, Hugo Chavez offered a “price band” deal. He would cap oil at $50 a barrel if the US guaranteed a $30-floor. Chavez trusted Kissinger and even Bush Sr. He knew stable prices helped everyone. Chavez taught Rodriguez this game. She recalls: “They used ‘human rights’ and ‘democracy’ as excuses. It was always about the oil.”

Opposition Privatization Threat

The leading opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado, promises full privatization of the state oil company, PdVSA. That plan alarms both OPEC and big oil. Breaking up PdVSA could force Venezuela out of OPEC. US law forbids companies from joining price-fixing cartels. Oil majors prefer profit-sharing, not ownership. At $50 a barrel, Orinoco crude stays too costly to pump. Machado’s plan could spark conflict without boosting output.

The Vulture Investor and CITGO Battle

Billionaire Paul Singer’s Elliott Management bought PdVSA’s US subsidiary, CITGO, for $5.9 billion. The real value sits between $11 and $18 billion. Since Trump’s embargo hurt CITGO, the price looks cheap. Rodriguez wants her nation’s property back. A judge asked the State Department how a government change affects CITGO’s worth. No reply arrived by the deadline. Critics link Singer’s silence to his big campaign donations to Rubio and Trump.

Trump’s Executive Order Shakes the Table

Last weekend, Trump used his constitutional power to guard US oil majors from court seizures. His order bars creditors from grabbing Venezuelan cash held in US banks. That move aims to keep Singer from a “smash-and-grab” of CITGO. It also sends a message: the administration will back Rodriguez over private vultures. In a bold twist, Trump even scolded ConocoPhillips for seeking $12 billion in past claims.

Looking Ahead: Stability or Conflict?

The CIA and oil executives favor Delcy Rodriguez. They trust her to hold the country together during any transition. She speaks flawless English, French, and Spanish. She knows how to cut deals. With stability, US companies may rebuild pipelines and boost output. Without it, Venezuela risks civil war or foreign intervention. Rodriguez’s pragmatic approach may offer the safest path to renewed oil flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Delcy Rodriguez a radical pragmatist?

She combines strong anti-imperialist rhetoric with open offers to negotiate oil deals. Her political style blends fiery speeches and real-world compromise.

Why is US oil infrastructure in Venezuela so damaged?

The US embargo blocked equipment purchases for maintenance. Heavy crude solidified in pipes and refineries, causing widespread damage.

How does privatization threaten Venezuela’s oil sector?

Full privatization could force PdVSA out of OPEC. Oil majors would lose cartel protection and face steep price drops, hurting profits.

What impact will Trump’s executive order have on CITGO?

It prevents courts from seizing Venezuelan assets in US banks. This move blocks Paul Singer’s attempt to buy and flip CITGO for profit.