US Energy Chief Says China and America Can Find Balance in Venezuela While Washington Keeps Upper Hand
The United States and China may be able to strike a workable balance in Venezuela’s energy sector, according to US energy secretary Chris Wright, who said cooperation is possible as long as Washington remains the dominant force shaping the flow of Venezuelan oil.
Wright’s comments come at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension surrounding Venezuela’s vast energy resources, which hold strategic importance for global markets and regional influence. He suggested that while China has an established economic presence in the country, the United States intends to retain primary control over how Venezuela’s oil is produced, traded and integrated into international supply chains.
China has been one of Venezuela’s most significant external partners for years, providing financing, infrastructure support and technical cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. As a result, Beijing has deep commercial ties that are difficult to unwind quickly. Wright acknowledged this reality, noting that China already plays a role on the ground and that completely excluding it would be impractical. However, he stressed that participation does not equate to leadership.
From Washington’s perspective, Venezuela’s oil sector is too strategically sensitive to be left outside US influence. Officials argue that controlling oil flows is not only about energy security but also about political stability, sanctions enforcement and regional leverage. Wright made clear that any arrangement allowing Chinese involvement would be framed within boundaries set by the United States.
The comments reflect a broader shift in US policy toward Venezuela. Rather than relying solely on isolation and pressure, Washington is now seeking to actively shape the country’s energy future, including through engagement with US companies and oversight of export routes. This approach is intended to prevent rival powers from gaining decisive control while also stabilising production after years of decline.
For China, Venezuela represents both an economic opportunity and a geopolitical foothold in Latin America. Beijing has consistently opposed US intervention in the region and has framed its involvement as purely commercial. Chinese officials have emphasised respect for sovereignty and non interference, a stance that appeals to governments wary of US dominance.
Analysts say Wright’s remarks signal a more pragmatic tone from Washington, recognising that outright exclusion of China may be unrealistic. Instead, the US appears focused on ensuring that it sets the rules of engagement. In this framework, China may operate as a participant but not as the power that determines outcomes.
Whether such a balance can be sustained remains uncertain. The US and China remain strategic rivals, and Venezuela’s oil wealth sits at the intersection of that competition. Even limited cooperation would require a level of trust that is currently fragile, particularly as both countries accuse each other of using economic tools for political advantage.
For Venezuela itself, the idea of shared engagement could offer a path toward stabilising its battered energy industry. Years of mismanagement, sanctions and underinvestment have reduced output dramatically. External involvement, if carefully managed, could help restore capacity and revenue.
Still, the underlying message from Wright was unambiguous. The United States may tolerate Chinese participation, but it intends to remain the decisive force influencing Venezuela’s oil flows. In a region long viewed by Washington as strategically vital, control of energy remains a central measure of power.
