Venezuelan Oil and the Maduro Regime
Venezuelan oil has become an important source of funding for the Maduro regime, and the activities of the Russian shadow fleet add new dimensions to this process. Rosneft, the state oil company of Russia, has invested in the Venezuelan oil industry, allowing the regime to gain control over part of this sector in exchange for maintaining power. This has been made possible through close cooperation between Russia and Venezuela, which has attracted international interest.
Blending Oil and International Relations
A key component of this cooperation is the blending of Russian and Venezuelan oil. The Russians are selling blended oil in the region of Indonesia, creating new channels for selling crude on the global market. This practice allows for circumventing sanctions imposed on both countries and supports the financial stability of the Maduro regime.
In the context of the political situation in the U.S., Donald Trump may try to change the Maduro regime, considering that Venezuela, Iran, and Ukraine are important for maintaining a majority in Congress. This underscores the global impact of Venezuelan oil, which not only influences the domestic politics of the country but is also significant for international relations.
This situation demonstrates how Venezuela's economic dependence on oil continues to sustain the Maduro regime, despite international sanctions. Cooperation with Russia, particularly through oil blending, opens new opportunities to circumvent these restrictions and maintain financial stability. Thus, Venezuelan oil becomes not only a tool of domestic policy but also an important element in global geopolitical and economic processes.