Official photograph of Mike Wirth, CEO of the American energy giant Chevron.
Guacamaya, March 20, 2025. Chevron’s CEO, Mike Wirth, has intensified efforts to secure an extension from the U.S. government for the deadline to cease operations in Venezuela, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
According to the outlet, Wirth has held private meetings with senior officials in Donald Trump’s administration to request at least an additional 60 days to complete the withdrawal process. Among the U.S. cabinet members Wirth has contacted are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Additionally, Wirth participated in a broader meeting of energy executives at the White House, organized by the American Petroleum Institute and attended by Donald Trump.
Trump has reportedly expressed willingness to reconsider the order requiring Chevron to halt its operations in Venezuela by early April, according to a version of The Wall Street Journal report accessed by Reuters. The possibility of imposing tariffs or financial sanctions on countries purchasing Venezuelan oil was also discussed, aiming to limit the influence of actors like China and other adversaries in the region.
The decision to revoke Chevron’s license, which expires on April 3, is part of a political pressure strategy against Nicolás Maduro’s government. Guacamaya had previously noted that this measure could be used as a negotiation tool, consistent with Trump’s characteristic style of applying pressure before seeking agreements.
In statements cited by Guacamaya, Mike Wirth highlighted the risks to U.S. energy and economic interests if Chevron’s license were suspended, which could also lead to increased migration to the United States.
In this context, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that imposing tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan oil could strengthen Chevron’s position and force Maduro to negotiate, according to the WSJ report cited by Reuters.
Chevron, a key player in the production and export of Venezuelan crude to the United States, faces an uncertain future. Wirth has encountered resistance from some members of Trump’s cabinet, who have long maintained a critical stance toward Nicolás Maduro’s controversial leadership in Venezuela.
Wirth’s request underscores the tensions between Washington’s sanctions policies and the operational realities of U.S. companies in Venezuela. Meanwhile, the outcome of this situation could have far-reaching implications not only for Venezuela’s economy but also for geopolitical relations in the region.
