In a surprising twist, Venezuela's Interior and Justice Minister, Diosdado Cabello, has softened his typically harsh rhetoric towards the United States. Instead of opposing the sale of oil to the U.S., he has now expressed willingness to engage in such transactions.
"If they are willing to purchase our oil, they can buy it, and we will sell it to them," Cabello stated on Wednesday during his televised program, Con el Mazo Dando.
This statement appears to acknowledge the de facto control of Venezuelan oil by the Donald Trump administration, marking a significant shift in Cabello's previously defiant stance towards the U.S. The change comes amidst Venezuela's ongoing political turmoil and heightened bilateral tensions following the U.S. military's elite forces' capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Caracas on January 3rd.
International media outlets have highlighted the stark contrast between Cabello's recent comments and his statements late last year, where he proclaimed that "not a single drop of oil should go to the United States if they attack Venezuela."
During a special broadcast on state television, Cabello assured viewers that "Venezuela has always sold oil to the United States."
"I recall a time when the daily minimum was 700,000 barrels. They paid, took their oil, and that's how it should be," he remarked candidly.
Cabello referenced an official statement released on the same Wednesday by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), confirming ongoing negotiations with the U.S. government for crude oil sales as part of "commercial relations between both countries."
PDVSA noted that the process is conducted "under frameworks similar to those with international companies like Chevron," emphasizing that it is a purely commercial transaction based on "legality, transparency, and mutual benefit."
Cabello, putting aside his usual arrogance, simplified the issue: "We sell oil to Chevron; Chevron takes it and pays us." He then launched into a grandiose speech, attempting to inject optimism with calls for unity in support of the homeland and praise for the Venezuelan people during these challenging times.
"The threats are not just against chavismo; they are against the homeland. The attacks are not just against chavismo; they are against the homeland," he declared, confidently asserting that Maduro and Cilia would be brought back to the country.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela would deliver between 30 and 50 million barrels of crude to the U.S. for sale in the North American and international markets.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a three-phase plan — stabilization, recovery, and transition — aimed at preventing Venezuela's internal collapse and reorganizing its oil industry under U.S. oversight.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the U.S. will control Venezuela's oil sales for an "indefinite" period, with the proceeds deposited into accounts managed by Washington.
Trump has projected that within 18 months, U.S. oil companies will revitalize Venezuela's oil sector. Despite holding the world's largest crude reserves — 17% of the total — Venezuela currently contributes only 1% to global production.
Understanding the Shift in Venezuela's Oil Policy
What led Diosdado Cabello to change his stance on selling oil to the U.S.?
Diosdado Cabello's shift in stance seems to be influenced by the severe political crisis in Venezuela and the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores by U.S. forces, which has heightened tensions between the two countries.
How is the U.S. planning to manage Venezuela's oil sector?
The U.S. has outlined a three-phase plan to manage Venezuela's oil sector, focusing on stabilization, recovery, and transition, with the goal of reorganizing the industry under U.S. supervision and preventing Venezuela's internal collapse.