Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Investment Rush in Venezuela Criticized Amid Political Uncertainty
Some people are excited about investing in Venezuela after the removal of its former leader, Nicolas Maduro.
However, Elliot Dornbusch, the CEO of CV Advisors, thinks this is a bad idea.
He says that Venezuela needs democracy and rule of law before any meaningful investments can happen.
The U.S. government is working with the new acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, to boost the country's oil production.
They think they can do this quickly, but many experts disagree.
They say that Venezuela's oil infrastructure is in bad shape and will take a long time and a lot of money to fix.
The U.S. government is meeting with oil executives to discuss this, but it's unclear what will happen next.
Elliot Dornbusch of CV Advisors criticizes the rush to invest in Venezuela, stating that democracy and rule of law must be restored first.
The U.S. government is working with acting president Delcy Rodriguez to boost Venezuela's oil production, which has fallen to below 1 million barrels per day.
U.S. officials believe they can quickly lift sanctions and boost oil production, but experts say it will take years and significant investment.
Venezuela's oil reserves are the world's largest but are among the costliest to develop due to the thick and heavy nature of the oil.
Chevron is the only U.S. major currently operating in Venezuela's oil fields, with Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips having been nationalized nearly two decades ago.
- Who
- Elliot Dornbusch (CEO of CV Advisors), U.S. government, Venezuelan officials, oil analysts, U.S. oil executives
- What
- Criticism of investment rush in Venezuela, plans to boost oil production, and skepticism about quick revival of Venezuela's oil sector
- When
- After the removal of Nicolas Maduro and ongoing political transition
- Where
- Venezuela, U.S.
- Why
- To potentially invest in Venezuela's oil industry and other sectors, and to boost the country's crippled oil industry
- Current Oil Production
- Below 1 million barrels per day
- Peak Oil Production
- Over 3 million barrels per day (two decades ago)
- Oil Reserves
- World's largest
- CV Advisors Assets
- $15 billion
- Trump's Timeline
- Less than 18 months to expand operations
- Analysts' Estimate
- Years to ramp up production
- U.S. Major Operating
- Chevron
- Former U.S. Operators
- Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips
