Exxon CEO Stands Firm on Venezuela Investment Demands

• Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods demands democratic transition in Venezuela for investment.
• Trump administration pressures oil companies to invest in Venezuela's oil industry.
• Exxon exited Venezuela in 2007 after asset seizure, seeking contract sanctity.
• Venezuela's oil infrastructure is dilapidated, facing financial challenges amid surplus.

A Witcher's Take on Oil and Politics

Medallion's humming... smells like crude oil and broken promises. Seems the Exxon chap, Woods, is playing hardball with Venezuela. Claims the place is "uninvestable" until they sort out their government. Heard that tune before. Usually involves more monsters than men, though. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. As I've often said, "Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, middling… Makes no difference. The degree is arbitary. The definition’s blurred."

Trump's Venezuelan Gambit

Trump, never one to mince words, wants oil companies to throw a hundred billion at Venezuela after capturing Maduro. A bold move, I'll give him that. Reminds me of Foltest trying to rebuild Vizima after the siege – all bluster and promises, but short on actual solutions. I can understand the pressure to invest, but sometimes you have to cut your losses. Just like when I decided not to play Gwent against Dijkstra that one time. Speaking of losses, similar to investing in a company where the fundamental technology is failing, [CONTENT] is a case study in changing market dynamics.

Sanctity of Contracts or a Fool's Errand?

Woods is sticking to his guns. Says Caracas needs reforms before Exxon even thinks about returning. He's got a point. Exxon got burned back in '07 when Chavez seized their assets. Billions in claims outstanding. Woods put it plainly, "If you don't uphold the sanctity of the contracts… we can't continue to work with you." Reminds me of the time I tried to collect a bounty from a Nilfgaardian noble. Contract's gotta be ironclad, or you're just chasing shadows.

Blame Game: Whose Fault is it Anyway?

Trump, however, seems willing to sweep the past under the rug. "We're not going to look at what people lost in the past, because that was their fault," he reportedly said. Charming. Sounds like something Eredin would say before incinerating a village. Easy to dismiss losses when it ain't your coin. My experience tells me there is always a price for ignoring the past.

Oil Surplus and Dilapidated Dreams

Venezuela's got more oil than a dragon's hoard has gold, but its infrastructure is falling apart. And with oil prices down, thanks to OPEC+ and the US pumping like mad, fixing things won't be cheap. Sometimes I feel the same way about Roach. Plenty of potential, but always needs repairs.

Chevron's Risky Bet

Chevron, meanwhile, is still in Venezuela, under some special license. They reckon they can boost production by 50%. Risky gamble, if you ask me. Like betting on a striga to win a beauty contest. But hey, maybe they know something I don't. After all, I only deal with monsters and messy affairs of humans, not with oil.