After Maduro’s Ouster, What Happens to Venezuela’s Oil?

“We’re talking about a very short period of time in which Cuba could enter into a situation in which they [have no] lights on and no transportation. … And of course, President Sheinbaum in Mexico has to decide if she wants to help them or prefers to have a better relationship with the United States. ... I think this event is massive for the relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela, not only on the oil side, but [also] has this implication for Cuba, has implications for countries like Colombia and Mexico.”

— Francisco J. Monaldi, Ph.D., Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Latin American Energy Policy, Baker Institute

About the Episode

What does the removal of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. military force signal for the future of Venezuela’s oil industry? Francisco J. Monaldi and Kenneth B. Medlock III joined the podcast to discuss President Donald Trump’s recently released plan for taking over and selling the country’s crude oil, the risks and incentives for U.S. and international oil companies, and the implications for oil flows across Latin America.

This conversation was recorded on Jan. 12, 2026. 

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About ‘Baker Briefing’

Hosted by David M. Satterfield,  the “Baker Briefing” podcast delivers timely analysis on breaking policy developments and other critical policy issues of the day in conversations with experts at the Baker Institute. New episodes are released weekly.

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