President Maduro’s recent appeal to oil-producing nations vividly illustrated his increasing isolation, according to a Latin American oil expert, who also characterized Venezuela as financially depleted and overwhelmed by $150 billion in debt.
The Venezuelan leader’s plea was conveyed in a letter seeking OPEC’s support, alleging that U.S. actions were undermining Venezuela’s energy sector and jeopardizing global oil stability.
In a letter addressed to OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais and released by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, Maduro wrote, “I trust in your utmost endeavors to halt this escalating aggression, which gravely imperils the equilibrium of the international energy market for both producer and consumer nations.”
However, an expert identified as a Latin American Energy Policy Director indicated that “OPEC is improbable to intervene.”
He further elaborated that the organization is the primary actor, and its members would be reluctant to challenge the Trump Administration. Crucially, he noted, they consistently refrain from engaging in such disputes.
Maduro’s appeal contended that actions by the U.S. were intended to “destabilize” Venezuela, prompting him to call for solidarity among oil-producing countries.
The United States had previously imposed sanctions on Venezuela, targeting government officials, state-controlled sectors such as oil and mining, and financial dealings, citing concerns related to corruption, trafficking, and human rights violations.
His request was made after President Trump’s directive to close a specific facility, a measure that intensified Washington’s pressure campaign and further hampered the regime’s capacity for international commerce.
Nevertheless, Monaldi underscored that Maduro understood his appeal to be merely symbolic, designed to “frame” the circumstances to align with his own oil-related agenda.
He asserted, “Maduro is fully aware that he will not receive the desired response, but he is portraying the conflict as fundamentally about oil.”
“Venezuela possesses the potential to re-emerge as a substantial oil producer, capable of generating approximately 4 million barrels per day in under a decade, which would represent a significant quadrupling of its current output.
“Such an increase in production would be contingent on fully opening the oil sector to private foreign investment, a move that would necessitate specific reforms.
Achieving 4 million barrels of oil per day would translate to roughly $90 billion annually in revenue, a figure akin to Venezuela’s earnings during its most prosperous periods.
This revenue stream could facilitate Venezuela’s debt repayment and rapid economic recovery, although reaching that production level would require several years.”
He reiterated, “Currently, Venezuela is a bankrupt nation burdened with $150 billion in debt.”
Tensions intensified further this week following a call involving unspecified parties, during which President Trump asserted that the Venezuelan leader ought to resign and depart the nation, signaling a direct push for political transition.
Monaldi commented, “Should the U.S. succeed in achieving a regime change, it would be regarded as a favorable outcome.”
However, he underlined that Washington’s objectives are not solely confined to energy concerns. He pointed out that Venezuela has suffered from years of mismanagement and instability, rendering it a potentially unreliable prospect.
He further stated that a particular entity is upholding a specific condition.
Monaldi remarked, “The U.S. prioritizes the preservation of the Western Hemisphere as a region where geopolitical adversaries do not wield significant power.”
He concluded by saying, “The U.S. seeks to mitigate crime and drug trafficking within the region, as well as the adverse consequences stemming from Venezuela’s situation that have affected other parts of Latin America.”