Trump Makes Change Designed to Bring Venezuelan Dictator Maduro to His Knees

President Trump announced he is revoking a Biden-era deal that allowed Chevron to operate in Venezuela, citing the Maduro regime’s failure to meet its commitments. This move is part of a broader strategy to cut off financial support to Venezuela’s socialist government.

Key Facts:

President Trump announced he is reversing a Biden-era grant that allowed Chevron to operate in Venezuela.
He cited Venezuela’s failure to meet electoral commitments and deport criminals as agreed.
The Biden administration had previously granted Chevron a license to extract and export Venezuelan oil, which Trump is now terminating as of March 1.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez called the decision “damaging and inexplicable,” while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported ending Biden’s oil and gas licenses.
Chevron exports about 240,000 barrels per day from Venezuela, accounting for over a quarter of the country’s oil output.

The Rest of The Story:

Trump’s decision marks a return to his first-term strategy of applying “maximum pressure” sanctions on Maduro’s government.

The Biden administration had eased some restrictions, allowing Chevron to continue operations in an effort to encourage democratic reforms in Venezuela.

However, Trump argues that Maduro has not followed through on his commitments, particularly regarding elections and deporting criminals.

We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro, of Venezuela, on the oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022, and also having to do with Electoral conditions within Venezuela, which have not been met by the Maduro regime.…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 26, 2025

Venezuelan officials have condemned the move, with Vice President Rodríguez arguing it will harm both the U.S. and Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to push for even stricter measures to ensure no U.S. company funds Maduro’s regime.

Today, pursuant to @POTUS directive, I am providing foreign policy guidance to terminate all Biden-era oil and gas licenses that have shamefully bankrolled the illegitimate Maduro regime.

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 27, 2025

This could further isolate Venezuela’s already struggling economy, which relies heavily on oil exports.

Commentary:

Venezuela remains a hostile nation to the United States, run by an authoritarian regime that has long opposed American interests.

Trump’s decision to revoke Chevron’s operating license is a smart, strategic move to weaken Maduro’s grip on power.

By cutting off one of the regime’s largest sources of revenue, the U.S. is leveraging its economic influence to force Maduro into a difficult position.

The Chevron deal was never about helping the Venezuelan people—it was a financial lifeline for Maduro.

Allowing U.S. companies to extract Venezuelan oil under Biden’s concessions only served to prop up a corrupt socialist government that has systematically oppressed its people.

Trump is right to put an end to this arrangement.

Maduro now faces a tough choice: either make real concessions on democratic reforms or risk losing the little economic stability he has left.

Without Chevron’s operations, Venezuela’s oil industry will take a significant hit, further straining a regime already dealing with economic turmoil and growing discontent among its citizens.

Thankfully, Trump understands the power of economic leverage.

His decision signals a clear return to a strong, America-first foreign policy—one that refuses to bankroll hostile regimes under the guise of diplomacy.

By shutting down Maduro’s financial pipeline, Trump is using the right tools to push for real change in Venezuela.

The Bottom Line:

Trump’s move to end Chevron’s operations in Venezuela cuts off a major source of revenue for Maduro’s regime.

Without U.S. investment, Venezuela’s economy will face even greater pressure, forcing Maduro to either comply with U.S. demands or risk further instability.

This decision strengthens America’s position while weakening a hostile socialist government.