Friedman is skeptical that Venezuelan oil can be restarted without a change of regime, which he thinks will require boots on the ground. But see the NYT article below the video.
Venezuela is not Libya and the new leader – Delcy Rodriguez – is super-ambitious and if it’s in her self interest to suddenly become a capitalist, she will certainly do it. And is already showing signs of willingness to break bread with Trump. Of course ultimately there will have to be democratic elections.
NYT: “Venezuela’s New Leader Enlists U.S. Troops to Bring a Rogue Ship Back”
The tanker “launched without payment, nor the authorization of Venezuelan authorities,” PDVSA said in a statement on Friday, adding that the U.S. government aided its return. Mr. Trump echoed the claim the same day, saying that the tanker “departed Venezuela without our approval” and was returning to Venezuela “in coordination” with Ms. Rodríguez.
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Mr. Trump said in a recent interview with The New York Times that Ms. Rodríguez spoke “all the time” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a claim confirmed by people close to the Venezuelan leader.
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