Story perspectives

Trump's Venezuela Strategy Fails to Attract Oil Investments

2/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s invasion of Venezuela has not convinced Total Energies to invest.
Total Energies CEO Patrick Pouyanné says the 2022 exit reasons—high costs and pollution—remain unchanged.
Other oil executives, including Exxon’s Darren Woods, view the Venezuelan market as uninvestable.
Critics, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, question the wisdom of Trump’s approach.
Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling says the operation was well executed, but objectives remain unclear.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s invasion of Venezuela has not convinced Total Energies to invest.
Total Energies CEO Patrick Pouyanné says the 2022 exit reasons—high costs and pollution—remain unchanged.
Other oil executives, including Exxon’s Darren Woods, view the Venezuelan market as uninvestable.
Critics, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, question the wisdom of Trump’s approach.
Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling says the operation was well executed, but objectives remain unclear.