WILLEMSTAD — A high-profile U.S. energy advisor with long-standing ties to Venezuelan oil interests is reportedly exploring opportunities related to asphalt production in Curaçao, according to European news reports. The development comes amid dramatic changes in U.S. policy toward Venezuela’s energy sector following recent political upheaval in Caracas.
While full details of the report have not been independently confirmed, it suggests that the advisor — described in media accounts as a longtime Republican donor and associate of U.S. President Donald Trump — has considered expanding into the production or trade of asphalt using Venezuelan heavy crude. Asphalt is a by-product of refining heavy oils and is widely used in road construction and industrial applications.
The interest in asphalt production appears linked to broader discussions about how Venezuela’s vast oil resources and infrastructure might be reintegrated into global markets under new arrangements following the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the current interim government.
Supporters of renewed energy engagement argue that Curaçao’s established petroleum storage and logistics facilities, such as those at Bullenbaai and the island’s historical role in handling Venezuelan crude, offer strategic advantages for such ventures. Local officials have previously highlighted Curaçao’s infrastructure as a potential regional hub for energy products, including asphalt, fuel and lubricants.
However, the reported proposal also comes at a time when U.S. sanctions and export controls on Venezuelan oil have been tightened, complicating international trade in petroleum products and asphalt derived from heavy crude. According to the media report, these sanctions have made such ventures more challenging and have prompted renewed interest in finding compliant pathways for energy exports and related industries.
Critics caution that private energy interests seeking to benefit from changes in Venezuela’s oil landscape must navigate not only geopolitical tensions but also legal, regulatory and ethical concerns — particularly when operations involve sanctioned materials or complex ownership structures that span multiple jurisdictions.
For Curaçao, any potential investment in asphalt production or related energy sectors would likely have significant local economic implications, including job creation, increased industrial activity and deeper integration into Caribbean and Latin American energy markets. Observers say the island’s existing refineries, storage terminals and shipping links could play a central role if such initiatives move forward.
As discussions continue in international energy and policy circles, Curaçao Chronicle will monitor developments for potential impact on Curaçao’s economy and infrastructure.