What's happened
On February 13, 2026, President Donald Trump announced plans to visit Venezuela, marking a historic thaw after the US military's January 3 operation that captured former President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration has eased sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, fostering cooperation with interim leader Delcy Rodriguez and encouraging foreign investment to revive the oil industry.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Shift in US-Venezuela Relations
The Trump administration's approach represents a significant pivot from prior US policy, moving from sanctions and isolation to engagement and economic cooperation. Trump's planned visit, the first by a sitting US president since 1997, signals a normalization effort anchored in energy interests.
Oil Industry as a Lever
Easing sanctions and inviting major oil companies like Chevron and Shell to invest aims to restore Venezuela's oil production, which remains below historic levels despite recent gains. This strategy leverages Venezuela's vast resources to stabilize the country economically and politically under US influence.
Legitimacy and Legal Ambiguities
The US recognition of Delcy Rodriguez's interim government contrasts with her own assertion that Maduro remains the legitimate president, highlighting ongoing political complexities. The January 3 military operation that removed Maduro raises questions about international law and sovereignty, which critics argue the US has violated.
Political Stability and Future Elections
Rodriguez's government is focused on institutional rebuilding and national reconciliation, including a parliamentary amnesty bill for political prisoners. However, elections are postponed until stability is achieved, reflecting cautious governance amid opposition tensions.
Forecast
This rapprochement will likely deepen US influence in Venezuela's energy sector and political landscape. However, challenges remain, including political legitimacy disputes, security concerns, and attracting foreign investment amid instability. The US's control over oil revenues until a 'representative government' is established underscores ongoing leverage.
Impact on Readers
For global audiences, this development reshapes geopolitical dynamics in Latin America and energy markets. US consumers and investors may see indirect effects through oil supply and prices. The story also exemplifies how military and diplomatic tools intertwine in US foreign policy.
What the papers say
Joseph Stepansky of Al Jazeera reports that Trump announced his Venezuela visit while praising interim leader Delcy Rodriguez and highlighting eased sanctions allowing major oil companies to operate, noting the US controls oil sale proceeds until a representative government forms. Reuters highlights Trump's unprecedented praise for Rodriguez and the administration's shift toward cooperation, despite prior non-recognition of her government. France 24 details US Energy Secretary Chris Wright's historic Caracas visit, emphasizing a 'dramatic turn' in relations and the end of the US oil embargo, while noting Venezuela's efforts to attract foreign investment amid political challenges. The New York Times underscores Wright's push for deeper economic reforms to attract large capital flows, with skepticism from oil giants about risks. Al Jazeera's Elizabeth Melimopoulos provides insight into Venezuela's internal political efforts to stabilize and postpone elections, including an amnesty bill, while Rodriguez maintains Maduro's legitimacy. These sources collectively reveal a complex, evolving US-Venezuela relationship marked by pragmatic energy cooperation, contested legitimacy, and cautious political transition.
How we got here
Relations between the US and Venezuela deteriorated after Maduro's disputed 2024 election and subsequent US sanctions. On January 3, 2026, US forces captured Maduro, installing Delcy Rodriguez as interim president. Since then, the US has eased oil sanctions and engaged diplomatically to rebuild Venezuela's energy sector and political stability.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Trump's visit to Venezuela?
- How is the US managing Venezuela's oil revenues?
- What is Delcy Rodriguez's role in Venezuela's government?
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many small islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.
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Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician serving as president of Venezuela since 2013. His presidency has been disputed by Juan Guaidó since January 2019, although Maduro is the real president.
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Christopher Allen Wright (born January 15, 1965) is an American businessman and government official serving as the 17th United States secretary of energy since February 2025. Before leading the U.S. Department of Energy, Wright served as the CEO of Libert