The Venezuela interim government led by Delcy Rodriguez intensified diplomatic and security engagement this week, hosting Qatar’s prime minister and senior US officials in Caracas. The meetings come nearly two months after the United States carried out a military operation that toppled former president Nicolas Maduro on January 3.
Since Maduro’s removal and capture by US forces, Washington has asserted oversight of Venezuelan oil revenues and security coordination, while backing Rodriguez as interim leader. The developments mark a significant shift in Venezuela’s political and economic landscape.
According to official statements from Caracas and Washington, discussions focused on oil revenue management, security cooperation, and regional diplomacy.
Qatar Hosts Oil Revenue Channel as Rodriguez Meets Prime Minister
On Wednesday, Rodriguez received Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Caracas.
According to Venezuela’s communications ministry, the meeting aimed to “deepen the bilateral and strategic agenda between both nations.” Qatar has played a mediating role between Caracas and Washington following Maduro’s ouster.
Under an arrangement approved by the United States, profits from Venezuelan oil sales are being routed through an offshore account in Qatar before being transferred to the interim authorities in Caracas.
US President Donald Trump has stated that Venezuela will deliver millions of barrels of oil to the United States to be sold at market price. He said the funds would be controlled by the US presidency to ensure they benefit both Venezuelans and Americans.
The US Treasury Department requires that oil-related payments, including taxes and royalties, be directed to accounts designated by Washington.
However, US Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has requested clarification on the mechanism. In a press statement, he warned the arrangement could enable corruption, avoid accountability, and shield assets from creditors pursuing claims linked to the Maduro era.
Venezuela faces multiple lawsuits in US courts from investment funds and business figures dating back to policies introduced under former president Hugo Chavez, who expanded state control over oil and strategic sectors.
Key elements of the oil arrangement:
Oil shipments to the United States at market prices
• Revenue channeled through a Qatar-based offshore account
• Transfers to Caracas subject to US Treasury approval
• Oversight framed by Washington as temporary custodianship
US Expands Oil Licenses and Deepens Security Coordination
In a separate development, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added French energy company Maurel & Prom to the list of firms authorized to operate in Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.
The updated general license now covers:
• Chevron
• BP
• Eni
• Repsol
• Shell
• Maurel & Prom
The authorization allows transactions related to oil and gas operations under specified conditions. It follows earlier approvals granted to US and European energy companies as Washington seeks to increase production after Maduro’s removal.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Venezuela earlier this month, becoming the highest-ranking US official to do so since the January 3 operation that led to Maduro’s capture on allegations including drug trafficking.
US Southern Command Chief Visits Caracas
General Francis Donovan, head of US Southern Command, also visited Caracas on Wednesday. According to Venezuelan authorities and the US embassy, he met Rodriguez, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.
Both sides agreed to work toward a bilateral cooperation agenda focused on combating drug trafficking, terrorism, and migration.
Southern Command has overseen dozens of strikes on boats Washington claims were involved in drug smuggling. According to AFP, more than 130 people have been killed in those operations, with some families identifying victims as fishermen.
The US embassy said discussions also addressed implementation of President Trump’s three-phase plan, including stabilization and transition toward what Washington describes as a friendly and democratic Venezuela.
Hunger Strike Over Political Prisoners and Pending Amnesty
While diplomatic activity intensified, relatives of Venezuelan detainees continued a hunger strike outside the “Zona 7” prison in Caracas. The protest entered its fifth day on Wednesday.
Families are pressing parliament to pass a long-delayed amnesty law. Five days after Maduro was toppled, the interim leadership pledged under US pressure to release political prisoners.
However, the National Assembly has postponed several sessions to finalize the bill. Lawmakers are expected to reconvene, though the agenda has not been confirmed.
Critics argue that vague wording in the draft law could allow authorities to pardon allies while excluding prisoners of conscience.
Among detainees are workers from the state oil company PDVSA, some arrested in 2024 on accusations of oil smuggling and trafficking. Families deny the charges and say the workers were detained without adequate legal defense.
A prominent oil expert with dual US nationality, Evanan Romero, 86, was released after four days in detention on charges of fraud and criminal association, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Venezuela and Colombia Plan High-Level Meeting
Rodriguez also confirmed a phone call with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, stating the two agreed to hold a binational meeting soon.
The meeting would be the first at head-of-state level since Maduro’s removal. Colombia and Venezuela share a 2,200-kilometer border where armed groups operate in drug trafficking, illegal mining, and smuggling.
Petro initially condemned Maduro’s capture and US military action but later moderated his tone following discussions with President Trump. No date has been set for the upcoming bilateral meeting.
Conclusion:
The Venezuela interim government is navigating a complex transition shaped by US oversight, expanded oil partnerships, regional diplomacy, and internal pressure over detainees. With oil revenue management, security coordination, and political reconciliation at stake, the coming weeks are expected to define the direction of Venezuela’s post-Maduro phase.
