Anthony Esposito’s appearance focused on the growing disconnect between Washington’s optimism about Venezuela’s oil potential and the harsh political realities on the ground. As oil prices hovered in the mid-$50 range, the discussion centered on President Trump’s assertion that U.S. oversight of Venezuela’s oil sector could last for years, with American officials claiming ongoing coordination with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to revive the country’s devastated energy infrastructure.
Esposito underscored who Rodríguez really is in the Venezuelan power structure, pushing back on portrayals of her as a pragmatic reformer. While some observers describe her as unusually fluent in global markets and comfortable dealing with foreign oil companies and bondholders, Esposito emphasized that her entire rise occurred within the core of the Chávez-Maduro authoritarian system. In his view, that background matters more than her technical understanding of energy markets, because it shapes how power is exercised and decisions are ultimately made.
The physical state of Venezuela’s oil industry reinforced his skepticism. Images of rusting refineries, decaying storage tanks, and barely functioning facilities illustrated just how deep the damage runs after years of mismanagement and underinvestment. Esposito argued that while U.S. officials and some executives talk about “tremendous” investor interest, the reality is that rebuilding the sector would require massive capital, long timelines, and political guarantees that simply do not exist under the current leadership.
His central warning was blunt: placing long-term trust in a figure embedded in a dictatorship is a risky bet for both Venezuela and the United States. Esposito questioned whether anyone in the energy industry truly believes Rodríguez would act in the best interests of Venezuelans or in a stable, transparent partnership with Washington. At best, he suggested, any U.S. oversight arrangement could only function as a temporary stopgap, not a durable solution to Venezuela’s political and energy crisis.
