Delcy Rodríguez Consolidates Power in Venezuela as Military Shake-Up and Oil Reforms Accelerate

Delcy Rodríguez has moved decisively to strengthen her political position amid mounting domestic challenges and international pressure. Over recent days she has reordered top military leadership and fast-tracked legislation aimed at opening Venezuela’s oil sector to private and foreign investors — a significant shift for the state-controlled industry.

Military Reshuffle

Rodríguez ordered the dismissal or reassignment of multiple senior officers — at least half a dozen by official counts — in what observers describe as a purge designed to tighten civilian control over the armed forces and remove potential rivals. The personnel changes underscore how the military remains central to political authority in Venezuela and signal a reassertion of executive control over security institutions.

Oil Sector Reform

Facing pressure from international actors, Rodríguez moved quickly to advance a law that allows private and foreign participation in the state oil sector. The reform is intended to attract fresh capital and technical expertise to develop Venezuela’s substantial crude reserves after years of underinvestment and mismanagement.

U.S. Reaction
President Donald Trump praised Rodríguez’s actions and urged major oil companies to consider investing in Venezuela’s energy sector. “Very strong leadership,” he said, framing the reforms as an opportunity for global energy firms to help tap the country’s vast crude resources.

Implications

Opening the oil sector could bring much-needed revenue and foreign currency, but the reforms also carry political risks: domestic opponents may view the moves as concessionary or as attempts to consolidate an unpopular administration, while international companies face legal, reputational and operational risks in Venezuela. The military reshuffle may stabilize Rodríguez’s position in the short term, but it could also deepen divisions inside the armed forces.

Outlook: The coming weeks will show whether investment interest materializes and how Venezuela’s political actors — both inside the country and abroad — respond to an accelerated program of economic opening paired with a tighter grip on security institutions.