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25m 27s

Trump drinks Venezuela’s milkshake

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About this episode
One week ago, President Trump announced a deal that would give the “U.S. control of more than 65 BILLION BARRELS of proven Oil Reserves in Venezuela, at no cost to the American Taxpayer.”

The exact nature of this deal has been … obscure, to say the least. But today, we wanted to know, from someone who’s been through this before, what does this mean for Venezuela?

José Ángel Pereira Ruimwyk is both optimistic … and wary. He’s a longtime Venezuelan oil insider. When Venezuela invited in foreigners, decades ago, he was there to greet them. And when Venezuela wanted them out? Well, that’s how he ended up in a jail cell. 

On today’s show, we’re going to hear from one third-generation Venezuelan oilman who has seen everything … up until this, of course.

Check out our other episodes about Venezuela:  
- Chevron, Venezuela and the Paradox of Plenty
- How Venezuela imploded 

Read: 
- Our book: Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life 
- Our weekly longform Planet Money newsletter
- Our weekly Indicator round-up newsletter

Follow: 
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- Facebook

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

This episode was hosted by Nick Fountain and Erika Beras and produced by Emma Peaslee with help from Sam Yellowhorse Kesler. It was edited by Marianne McCune. It was fact checked by Emma Peaslee with help from Sierra Juarez. It was engineered by Josephine Nyounai with help from Jimmy Keeley. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money’s executive producer. 

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