Chevron Corp. filed tax returns worth about $300 million with the Venezuelan government last year, raising questions about how much President Nicolás Maduro is benefiting from the US company’s oil production in spite of sanctions.

However, their simplistic argument does not withstand scrutiny. Evidence shows that U.S. sanctions significantly contributed to Venezuela’s economic implosion, while the easing of sanctions in recent years has been associated with a moderate economic recovery that has helped alleviate the worst of the country’s economic crisis.

President Nicolas Maduro looks on during a press conference after testifying before the electoral chamber at main headquarters of the Supreme Court of Justice on Aug. 2, 2024, at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela.

The United States and Venezuela navigate a complex relationship involving sanctions, oil licenses, and disputed elections. Controversies persist over diplomatic interactions during and after the presidencies of Trump and Biden.

President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela aimed for a democratic election amid US economic sanctions, offering Chevron a permit to export Venezuelan oil. Despite an unfair election and criticism, oil revenues have bolstered Venezuela's economy.

Maduro took office last week for a third consecutive term. Now, he’s consolidating his position as dictator Nicolás Maduro has now been in power in Venezuela since 2013 – gradually usurping power over the past twelve years until becoming a full dictator.

In 2022, the White House granted Venezuela a financial lifeline “to support the restoration of democracy” after President Nicolás Maduro promised to work toward an open presidential election, granting U.

Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves on Earth, but its energy prowess is as much about quality as quantity. Refineries on the US Gulf Coast process Venezuelan crude by the hundreds of thousands of barrels per day. Volumes hit a six-year high in December, according to Kpler, reaching approximately 300 kbd – a 150 kbd year-on-year increase.

A few big questions hang over Chevron as it prepares to report fourth-quarter earnings on Friday. The company’s planned acquisition of Hess is in limbo; the Trump administration may attempt to curtail its production in Venezuela;

The oil company plans to build natural gas power plants that will be directly connected to data centers used by technology companies for artificial intelligence and other services.

The United States and Venezuela have a fraught recent history marked by broken diplomatic relations, sanctions and accusations of criminal activity and coup-plotting.