Delcy Rodriguez doesn't need democracy. She needs the generals paid
On Sept. 2, Chevron announced a signed a $7 billion expansion of its Venezuelan operations, doubling production over the next five years. That is the concrete number. The $209 billion figure that acting President Delcy Rodriguez has floated publicly describes something looser, her own accounting of what the broader arrangement with Washington could eventually be worth to Venezuela.
TL;DR
- Chevron announced a $7 billion expansion of its Venezuelan operations, set to double production in five years.
- Acting President Delcy Rodriguez's strategy involves managing the officer corps through a system of rewards and uncertainty, ensuring loyalty and stability.
- Recent reshuffles and promotions of compromised officers suggest a consolidation of personal power rather than institutional reform.
- This strategy is compared to the mechanism that previously kept Maduro in power by preventing collective action among officers.
- Washington's priorities appear to be economic and security-focused, emphasizing oil production and stability over democratic benchmarks.
- The current arrangement benefits Rodriguez by securing officer loyalty and Washington by ensuring oil production and stability, but does not guarantee a path to democracy.