The Trump administration sent a White House delegation on the first nonstop Miami–Caracas commercial flight in seven years to advance U.S.–Venezuela energy and mining agreements. Led by Jarrod Agen, the team aims to expand deals with PDVSA and welcome new U.S. entrants such as HKN Energy and Hunt Energy. Chevron’s CEO says legal reforms in Venezuela are moving forward but not yet sufficient to attract large-scale investment. U.S. diplomats have returned to Caracas, though officials say credible national elections may still be years away.
Trump Officials Join First Nonstop Miami–Caracas Flight in Seven Years as U.S. Seeks Energy Deals
A ribbon is cut following the arrival of an American Eagle, operating a regional flight for American Airlines, aircraft at Simon Bolivar International Airport in La Guaira, La Guaira state, Venezuela on April 30, 2026. / Credit: Federico PARRA /AFP via Getty Images
Trump administration officials were among the passengers on Thursday’s first nonstop commercial flight between Miami and Caracas in seven years. The American Airlines service carried a White House delegation seeking to accelerate commercial ties between U.S. firms and Venezuelan state and private energy interests.
Delegation and purpose
Leading the U.S. team was Jarrod Agen of the National Energy Dominance Council. Venezuela’s newly appointed ambassador to Washington, Félix Plasencia, also traveled on the flight. Agen told reporters the White House team planned to press ahead with agreements between U.S. companies and Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA, as well as discussions with Venezuelan mining firms. New U.S. entrants cited in coverage include HKN Energy (backed by Ross Perot Jr.) and Hunt Energy.
Context and diplomatic ties
The visit occurs amid ongoing political and economic transitions in Venezuela. The Trump administration has taken steps to ease some sanctions to encourage U.S. investment in Venezuela’s energy sector, permitting American firms greater ability to invest in infrastructure and production. The U.S. has reestablished its diplomatic presence in Caracas and named career foreign-service officer John Barrett as chargé d’affaires.
Flight information for American Airlines Flight 3599, operating from Miami International Airport to Caracas, Venezuela, on a nonstop flight to Venezuela, on April 30, 2026. / Credit: CHANDAN KHANNA /AFP via Getty Images
Industry reaction
Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, in an interview with CBS News, said Venezuela has made progress revising its hydrocarbon laws—changes intended to improve terms for foreign investment—but he described the reforms as "a work in progress" that still need further refinement to attract the scale of investment desired. Wirth noted Chevron continues to employ Venezuelan staff and that the country’s heavy crude is well suited to Gulf Coast refineries, while acknowledging large-scale talent losses over years of political and economic turmoil.
Politics and transition timeline
U.S. and Venezuelan officials have been guarded about a firm schedule for national elections. Multiple officials suggested credible elections could be two to three years away, with stabilization efforts considered an immediate priority. Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez appears positioned to finish the remainder of the current six-year term, a scenario that could push national elections toward 2030.
Opposition and security concerns
Opposition leader María Corina Machado has insisted that a clear, secure timeline for a democratic transition is required before exiles will feel safe to return; she has met with U.S. officials to discuss her plans and maintains she will seek the presidency when conditions permit. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities have long accused senior Venezuelan security figures of links to narcotics trafficking—allegations that remain a major concern in bilateral engagement. Reports cited by U.S. sources have discussed rewards and criminal charges tied to individuals alleged to be connected to the Cartel de los Soles.
Former U.S. official Juan Gonzalez said on returning from Caracas: "The economic opening in Venezuela is on a bullet train. The democratic process is on a chicken cart." Gonzalez, who served as deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs, cautioned that while visible political changes are underway, elements of the prior regime remain influential.
Looking ahead
U.S. officials on the trip are expected to press for further regulatory reforms to create clearer, more attractive conditions for long-term energy and mining investment. Companies such as Chevron say they are following developments closely and urge continued legal certainty to underpin major capital commitments.
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