Trump Declares Exxon's Venezuela Future 'Uncertain' After CEO Dared to Disagree
The Independent reports Donald Trump is 'inclined' to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela, all because their CEO expressed a touch of skepticism about oil investment post-'toppling' of Nicolás Maduro. (He's still President, by the way.) This isn't about protecting the Venezuelan people or democracy; it's about a former President deciding what foreign resource extraction suits his geopolitical
narrative at any given moment. Remember when Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson was Trump's Secretary of State? The revolving door between big oil and foreign policy isn't a bug, it's a feature. One might recall similar 'inclinations' by various US administrations throughout history – from Guatemala to Chile – always coincidentally benefiting American corporate power while simultaneously 'instilling
democracy.' The audacity of a CEO to question the efficacy of a regime change for profit, while in the presence of the man who still believes he can dictate global market access. Apparently, even the titans of industry need to know their place when Uncle Sam decides it's time for a new client state. The 'free market' is only free when it's freely serving Washington's whims.