The arrest of an 86-year-old energy consultant and U.S. Citizen in Venezuela has raised concerns about political persecution and introduced a new point of tension between technical sectors of the Venezuelan oil industry, the democratic opposition and the government led by Delcy Rodríguez following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Evanan Romero, a consultant with decades of experience in the Venezuelan energy industry, was arrested on Friday in Maracaibo while attempting to travel to Caracas for meetings with international oil companies. The detention comes as Washington increases pressure to reactivate oil production and attract foreign investment.
Romero communicated with ABC from a private clinic in Maracaibo, stating, “Here I am since Friday.” He explained he was detained without warning and without his lawyers being informed of formal charges. He said the order “appeared on the computer” when he attempted to board a flight to Caracas.
Romero, a dual Venezuelan-U.S. National, entered Venezuela with a U.S. Passport, despite Venezuelan nationals being required to enter and exit the country with Venezuelan documentation. He was using his Venezuelan ID internally. After presenting his boarding pass at the airport, he was called over a loudspeaker and separated by officials, who told him, “This gentleman cannot travel.”
He was initially held by a police delegation and Interpol agents at the airport. Due to his age and accredited medical condition, authorities allowed him to remain in a private clinic – at his own expense – rather than a jail cell. He remains under constant surveillance and has been deprived of his phone and computer, preventing him from attending scheduled meetings.
An Old Administrative Dispute
Romero maintains he was not notified of any legal proceedings. He believes the case is linked to an old administrative dispute related to a family business investment, which was resolved in his favor by the Supreme Court of Justice. However, his former business partner reportedly has ties to Attorney General Tarek William Saab. Romero views the arrest as politically motivated and suggests a red alert may have been activated, though he has not encountered any travel restrictions on previous trips to the U.S. Or Europe.
His initial court appearance in Maracaibo on Saturday resulted in a postponement, and he is scheduled to appear before a judge again on Wednesday morning. He has not yet been formally charged.
Romero has been involved in preliminary contacts between the Trump administration and major oil companies like Exxon and ConocoPhillips to explore a potential return to Venezuela following Maduro’s capture. Discussions included compensation for expropriated assets and the possible allocation of new blocks.
He is also part of a committee of around 400 former PDVSA technicians and executives working on proposals for the institutional and operational reconstruction of the industry under a new government, debating governance models and the degree of private international capital participation.
His planned agenda in Caracas included meetings with local Repsol management and a videoconference with Reliance in India to discuss a potential return to blocks in the Faja del Orinoco, as well as meetings with other investors interested in the stabilization of Venezuela’s energy sector.
The arrest follows a visit to Caracas by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, as the White House intensifies pressure for the release of political prisoners and reiterates that the reconstruction of the oil sector depends on clear legal and political guarantees. President Trump has publicly stated that U.S. Companies should invest billions to repair infrastructure and restore production.
The detention of a high-profile technical figure adds to the political uncertainty, interrupting communication between opposition sectors, potential foreign investors, and the U.S. Administration seeking to reactivate Venezuelan oil flows to Gulf Coast refineries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Evanan Romero?
Evanan Romero is an 86-year-old consultant with decades of experience in the Venezuelan energy industry and a dual Venezuelan-U.S. Citizen. He was a founder of INTEVEP and served as its executive vice president.
Why was Romero arrested?
Romero was arrested in Maracaibo while attempting to travel to Caracas for meetings with international oil companies. He believes the arrest is linked to an old administrative dispute related to a family business investment.
What is the U.S. Role in this situation?
The U.S. Energy Secretary recently visited Caracas, and the White House is pressing for the release of political prisoners and the reconstruction of Venezuela’s oil sector, contingent on legal and political guarantees.
Will the outcome of Romero’s case signal the extent to which a smooth transition and the return of international capital to Venezuela’s key economic asset are possible?
