Henrique Capriles Radonski is known for his pragmatic approach, with supporters who value his experience and critics who accuse him of being overly conciliatory. Photo: Screenshot @caprilesh / Instagram
Guacamaya, March 13, 2025. In a live broadcast this Wednesday via his social media, Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski claimed that Chevron’s withdrawal from Venezuela, in addition to impacting the national economy, would also open the door to the proliferation of mafias in the energy sector. The political leader expressed his disagreement with the oil company’s cessation of operations and addressed several key points related to the situation.
“When there are no serious companies behind economic activities, everything ends up in mafias, everything ends up in shell companies,” he said regarding the measure, which has already sparked intense debates in the country’s political and economic spheres.
The former presidential candidate stated that he could not agree with Chevron’s departure, arguing that the presence of the American company is crucial to maintaining some stability in the Venezuelan economy. “I cannot applaud the closure of operations of a U.S. oil company, which we know is vital for the country today,” he expressed.
At another point in his speech, Capriles dismissed accusations that Nicolás Maduro is appropriating resources generated by the U.S. oil company and emphasized the need for a more nuanced analysis of the issue. “Some say that Maduro is stealing Chevron’s money. It’s not as they’re saying. Before Chevron could operate, the situation was worse,” he highlighted.
Days earlier, Capriles had also criticized opposition factions celebrating Chevron’s exit as a political victory. “There are pseudo-leaders who don’t live in Venezuela, who don’t endure hardships, and who celebrate any measure that deteriorates the country’s main source of income,” he said on March 5 through his social media.
Chevron’s withdrawal, driven by international sanctions, represents a significant blow to Venezuela’s already weakened economy. According to estimates by the independent institution Ecoanalítica, Venezuela will face an income loss of $3.1 billion in 2025 due to the suspension of Chevron’s license and the cessation of activities of other oil companies.
