The Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar assured that American oil companies are ready to partner with the legitimate leaders of Venezuela once the regime of Nicolás Maduro is overthrown.
"American oil companies are ready to collaborate with the legitimate leaders of Venezuela, María Corina Machado and Edmundo González. When Maduro is finally brought to justice, the Venezuelan people will regain their freedom, restore security, and build lasting prosperity," he stated.
His statements were made in an interview with Fox News. Salazar emphasized that companies like Chevron will support the reconstruction of the South American country only when a democratic government is established.
"Chevron should be pushing millions and millions of barrels of oil per day, and they want to do it. Not just Chevron, but the rest of the American companies need to be in Venezuela like before, helping Venezuelans grow wealthier and have a better economy," he said.
Chevron will not finance the Chavista regime
Salazar maintains a constant criticism of any attempt to normalize relations with Maduro's regime. In a post from last July on his Facebook account, he asserted that "not a single dollar from Chevron will reach Maduro's regime," following the partial lifting of restrictions on the oil company's operations in Venezuela.
"We must, under no circumstances, inject more money into the oil fields of Venezuela. I take the President's commitment seriously. That was his promise," wrote the legislator from Florida.
“United States must never finance criminal dictatorships. Not one dollar for Maduro! Not even oxygen for socialism!” insisted Salazar.
Chevron resumes operations in Venezuela
On July 24, 2025, the administration of Donald Trump gave the green light to Chevron to resume its activities in Venezuela, through a specific license to operate alongside the state-owned PDVSA. This decision marks a shift in U.S. energy policy, aiming to balance sanctions with domestic crude oil demand.
Chevron never completely severed its ties with Venezuela, even during the toughest years of sanctions. Its partial return is seen by some as an attempt to strategically position itself for a potential post-Chávez scenario, although it has sparked criticism among those who demand the continuation of full pressure against the regime.
Venezuela is preparing for a possible political change
Salazar's statements coincide with a moment of growth for the Venezuelan opposition. María Corina Machado, who led a resounding opposition victory in the internal elections of 2024, the results of which were denied by chavismo, stated on Saturday that Venezuela is "very close to achieving freedom."
In a message directed at the Cuban exile community in Miami, Machado expressed gratitude for the support of congress members such as Salazar, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Carlos Giménez, and called for extending the democratic struggle throughout the region.
“Today our country is on the brink of being free. And when that happens, we will immediately go for Cuba and Nicaragua to build a region free from communism, drug terrorism, and tyranny,” stated Machado.
On his part, the Minister of Interior and a key figure of chavismo Diosdado Cabello, in his program Con el mazo dando on the state channel VTV, stated that Venezuela is ready to face "whatever comes, no matter how tough it may be."
They were statements directly referring to the movements of ships, submarines, and Marines of the United States that remain in the Caribbean Sea in the fight against drug trafficking.
Frequently asked questions about U.S. support for Venezuela and the political situation
Will U.S. oil companies support Venezuela after Maduro's fall?
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has stated that U.S. oil companies, such as Chevron, are ready to partner with a democratic government in Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro is ousted. This support is contingent upon the establishment of a legitimate government led by opposition figures like María Corina Machado.
What is Chevron's position regarding the Maduro regime?
Chevron has received licenses to operate in Venezuela, but it has been ensured that no dollar from its operations will benefit Maduro's regime. The decision to allow Chevron to resume operations is part of an effort to balance sanctions with the domestic energy demand of the U.S.
What is María Corina Machado's role in current Venezuelan politics?
María Corina Machado is a key opposition leader who is emerging as a central figure for the democratic transition in Venezuela. She has led the opposition against Chavismo and is seen as a potential leader in a post-Maduro government, receiving support from U.S. political figures like María Elvira Salazar.
How does U.S. policy affect the situation in Venezuela?
The U.S. policy towards Venezuela has included sanctions and support for the democratic opposition. The recent actions, such as granting Chevron permission to operate, aim to balance pressure on Maduro's regime with the energy needs of the U.S., while also supporting opposition leaders such as María Corina Machado and Edmundo González.
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