Venezuelan authorities have detained 86-year-old petroleum consultant Evanan Romero, a U.S. Citizen, according to reports from the Spanish news outlet ABC. Romero was taken into custody in Maracaibo while preparing to travel to Caracas for meetings with international oil companies. He reports being arrested without formal charges and is currently under guard in a private clinic after spending the first night in an Interpol office.
Key Figure in Energy Sector
The detention occurs amid diplomatic pressure from the White House, which has sought to encourage energy investment in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3. Romero, who also holds Venezuelan citizenship, entered the country days prior from Panama, with a layover in Colombia, using his Venezuelan ID for domestic flights. According to Romero, a detention order “appeared on the computer” when he attempted to check in for his flight.
Romero states he has not been formally notified of any charges and attributes his arrest to a previously resolved administrative dispute before the Supreme Court of Justice, suggesting possible political motivations linked to Attorney General Tarek William Saab. He reports having no prior travel restrictions to the United States or Europe and believes any Interpol alert is recent.
With a career that includes serving as Executive Vice President of PDVSA and as Vice Minister of Energy and Mines during Venezuela’s oil opening, Romero is considered a key contact in recent discussions with international companies like Repsol and Reliance. His planned agenda in Caracas included meetings with executives from these firms to explore the return of investment and energy stabilization, as part of a strategy coordinated from Washington.
Romero is part of a committee of approximately 400 former PDVSA technicians and executives developing proposals for the reconstruction of the energy sector under a future government. He has engaged with U.S. Oil companies, including Exxon and ConocoPhillips, and has been involved in discussions regarding compensation for expropriated assets and the opening of fresh blocks.
The arrest coincided with a visit to Caracas by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright last week and renewed demands from the Donald Trump administration for favorable conditions for foreign investment. Washington has reiterated that the reconstruction of Venezuela’s oil sector depends on clear legal and political guarantees. The arrest of a high-profile technical figure impacts not only Romero, but also communication between opposition sectors, potential investors, and the U.S. Administration interested in reactivating Venezuelan crude flows to Gulf Coast refineries.
Romero’s next court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday and will be closely watched as an indicator of the potential for an orderly transition and the return of international capital to Venezuela’s primary economic asset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Evanan Romero?
Evanan Romero is an 86-year-old petroleum consultant and U.S. Citizen with decades of experience in the Venezuelan oil industry, including founding INTEVEP and serving as Executive Vice President of PDVSA.
Why was Evanan Romero arrested?
According to Romero, he was arrested without formal charges while attempting to travel from Maracaibo to Caracas for meetings with international oil companies. He attributes the arrest to a previously resolved legal matter and suggests possible political motivations.
What is the potential impact of Romero’s arrest?
The arrest could disrupt ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment into Venezuela’s oil sector and may impact communication between potential investors, the opposition, and the U.S. Administration.
How might this situation affect the future of Venezuela’s energy sector and its relationship with international investors?
