Donald Trump has said he might block ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela after the oil company’s chief executive called the country “uninvestable” during a White House meeting last week.
Darren Woods told the US president that Venezuela would need to change its laws before it could be an attractive investment opportunity, during the high-profile meeting on Friday with at least 17 other oil executives.
Woods’ sceptical remarks quickly emerged as the dominant headline, undercutting the White House’s hopes of building momentum from its engagement with the world’s most prominent oil executives.
"I didn’t like Exxon’s response,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington on Sunday. “I’ll probably be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didn’t like their response. They’re playing too cute.”
Exxon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In other words, guarantee my investment, and the only way MAGA can do that is with a complete takeover and full control of the country.
That’s not even a guarantee. We’re going to do our best to return Venezuela to Venezuela’s control as soon as Trump is gone, I’m sure. And I suspect that government will be disinclined to honor agreements made at the barrel of a gun.
Given the widespread support for the Bolivaran revolution in Venezuela, MAGA is going to have a hard time gaining full control.
Venezuela is one of those countries where a guerilla insurgency could tie up the American military for years, when they’ll finally get out after accomplishing nothing but shifting trillions of tax dollars to the military-industrial complex.
So, the system working as intended then.