US energy secretary tours Venezuela, forecasts 40% oil output surge after Maduro's fall

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright conducted an unprecedented tour of Venezuela's Orinoco Belt oil facilities Thursday alongside interim President Delcy Rodriguez, declaring the former US oil embargo "essentially ended" and projecting production increases of up to 40% this year. The high-profile visit follows the Jan. 3 capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces in Caracas, an operation the Trump administration justified by alleging the former president led a "corrupt, illegitimate government" involved in large-scale cocaine trafficking into the United States.

Reviving Joint Ventures and Production Capacity

Wright evaluated infrastructure at Petroindependencia, a Chevron-PDVSA joint venture in Monagas state, observing that current output of approximately 40,000 barrels per day represents a fraction of the facility's potential. Experts accompanying the delegation confirmed that with immediate investment and technical rehabilitation, the same infrastructure could produce up to 300,000 barrels daily. "We expect to see 30%-40% growth in Venezuelan oil production this year," Wright told reporters. "We've got to change the game here for a win for Venezuelans, a win for America, and a win for our entire Hemisphere."

Sanctions Dismantled, New Era of Cooperation

Wright's visit occurred just one day after he formally declared the US oil embargo terminated, describing the previous decade of sanctions as a "quarantine" lifted to stabilize global energy markets following meetings in Caracas with Rodriguez and US Chargé d'Affaires Laura Dogu. President Donald Trump characterized current bilateral relations from Washington as an "extraordinary" moment of cooperation. Wright's agenda includes inspecting Petropiar, another major Orinoco operation, and meetings with private business executives to evaluate contracts and ensure alignment with "the best interests of the Western Hemisphere." This marks the first US Cabinet visit to Venezuela, following special envoy Richard Grenell's earlier prisoner release negotiations which concluded in October without resolution.