Trump’s Venezuelan oil grift
Today, Explained | Nov 06 2026 | 00:25:53

The US hasn’t delivered democracy, but it is extracting oil and inking shady business deals in Venezuela.
This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
A man walks past a mural depicting an oil pumpjack on a Venezuelan flag in Caracas. Photo by Pedro Mattey/AFP via Getty Images.
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This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
A man walks past a mural depicting an oil pumpjack on a Venezuelan flag in Caracas. Photo by Pedro Mattey/AFP via Getty Images.
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
