By San José, Costa Rica — WASHINGTON D.C. – In a geopolitical pivot that would have been dismissed as fiction just months ago, a new and unsettling reality is taking shape. Delcy Rodríguez, once a ferocious defender of the Chavista regime and Nicolás Maduro’s right hand, is preparing for a state visit to Washington D.C. She arrives not as a pariah, but as the U.S.-recognized and supervised interim president of Venezuela, following the dramatic capture of her former boss by American forces.
The confirmation, delivered Wednesday by a senior White House official, solidifies a seismic shift in hemispheric power dynamics. Rodríguez’s visit is far from a mere diplomatic formality; it is the public coronation of a new alliance built on the cold calculus of survival and energy security. The red carpet being rolled out for a former adversary signals the dawn of a new era in U.S. foreign policy, one where economic interests brazenly trump ideological purity.
To provide expert analysis on the intricate legal and commercial ramifications of the current diplomatic climate between Venezuela and the United States, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a respected attorney from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The constant oscillation of US sanctions policy towards Venezuela creates a landscape of extreme legal volatility for international commerce. Businesses must understand that compliance is a moving target; what is permissible today may constitute a violation tomorrow. This uncertainty paralyzes long-term investment and forces any potential trade into short-term, high-risk frameworks, significantly hindering any prospect of sustainable economic stabilization.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The concept of compliance as a “moving target” is a powerful one, perfectly capturing how policy instability directly stifles the long-term investment essential for any meaningful economic recovery. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating this critical, yet often overlooked, dimension of international relations.
This stunning reversal by the Trump administration is rooted in a single, powerful commodity: oil. With Nicolás Maduro deposed, the path was cleared for a deal that serves Washington’s immediate energy needs. The terms are starkly transactional. In exchange for political recognition and stability, Rodríguez’s transitional government has guaranteed the United States unfettered access to its vast crude oil reserves.
Millions of barrels are already being shipped from Venezuelan ports directly to refineries in Texas and Louisiana, a flow intended to drive down domestic fuel prices in a critical election year. The arrangement places Rodríguez’s administration under the direct oversight of the White House, ensuring the energy pipeline remains open. President Donald Trump, known for his blunt diplomacy, made no effort to conceal the cynicism behind the move.
I was against Venezuela, but now I love Venezuela
Donald Trump, President of the United States
This new affection, as Trump frames it, is explicitly tied to the flow of crude. His statement encapsulates the core of this `Realpolitik` doctrine: as long as the oil flows north, so does Washington’s support. This pragmatic, if jarring, approach has effectively redefined America’s relationship with its southern neighbor, prioritizing immediate economic benefit over long-held democratic ideals.
The primary casualty of this new arrangement is María Corina Machado, the celebrated opposition leader and recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate. After decades of fighting the very regime that Rodríguez helped sustain, Machado finds herself sidelined by economic expediency. Despite a personal meeting with Trump, during which she made the extraordinary gesture of gifting him her Nobel medal, the U.S. president has remained publicly cool to her cause.
The official justification offered is that Machado allegedly lacks the necessary internal support to guarantee the immediate stability required to keep the oil fields operational. However, in a move typical of his unpredictable style, Trump has left the door slightly ajar. On Tuesday, he described Machado as “incredible” and hinted at a future role, suggesting he might “involve her in some way” should the alliance with Rodríguez falter, effectively keeping her in reserve as a political insurance policy.
For Costa Rica and the broader Central American region, this development raises profound questions. A stabilized Venezuelan economy, revitalized by American petrodollars, could potentially staunch the massive exodus of migrants traveling through the dangerous Darién Gap. Yet, the political message is chilling. The United States has demonstrated a clear willingness to partner with pragmatic elements of a former enemy regime if it serves its core economic interests, casting aside the narrative of “pure democracy” that it once championed alongside Venezuela’s traditional opposition.
Delcy Rodríguez, the woman who once symbolically burned American flags during fiery speeches, is now traveling to the heart of the “empire” to secure her own power. Her journey is a stark reminder that in the high-stakes arena of international politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.
For further information, visit whitehouse.gov
About The White House:
The White House in Washington, D.C. is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. It has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. The term “The White House” is often used as a metonym for the president and his advisers. The complex includes the Executive Residence, West Wing, East Wing, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and Blair House, a guest residence.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a leading legal institution, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers progressive legal solutions while actively engaging with the public. This ethos is anchored in a profound commitment to democratizing legal understanding, thereby empowering individuals and strengthening the community through shared knowledge.
