WASHINGTON, D.C. — Long‑time supporters of Venezuela’s late president Hugo Chávez are stunned as interim president Delcy Rodríguez openly praises former U.S. President Donald Trump, a move that analysts say could reshape the country’s foreign‑investment landscape.

Mario Silva, a veteran television host who once displayed Chávez’s portrait and a tattoo of the late leader’s signature on his wrist, expressed disbelief on his program “The Razorblade.” “We built a socialist project that rejected U.S. imperialism; now we are courting the very man who threatened it,” Silva said, highlighting the emotional rupture within the Bolivarian base.

The policy pivot arrives as Venezuela’s oil output, still hovering around 800,000 barrels per day, seeks to regain markets lost after years of sanctions. Bloomberg estimates that a modest improvement in U.S.–Venezuela relations could lift foreign direct investment by up to 12 percent, potentially unlocking $4 billion in stalled projects.

U.S. Treasury officials have signaled a willingness to ease certain sanctions if Caracas demonstrates a credible shift toward democratic norms, a stance that aligns with Rodríguez’s overtures to Trump’s “America First” agenda. However, the International Monetary Fund warns that without structural reforms, the country’s inflation could remain above 250 percent, deterring long‑term capital inflows.

Venezuelan bond markets reacted cautiously; the 2035 sovereign bond yield fell 30 basis points to 15.8 percent after the announcement, reflecting tentative optimism among risk‑averse investors. Yet analysts caution that the market will closely monitor whether policy changes translate into tangible economic reforms.

Key Takeaways

• Rodríguez’s public admiration for Trump marks a stark ideological reversal, unsettling traditional Chavista supporters.
• Potential easing of U.S. sanctions could boost oil exports and attract up to $4 billion in new foreign investment.
• High inflation and lack of structural reforms remain critical risks for investors seeking stability in Venezuela.

While the rhetoric signals a dramatic shift, the ultimate impact on Venezuela’s economy will depend on concrete policy actions, transparency in oil contracts, and the ability of the interim government to balance domestic expectations with international business realities.