A key figure in Venezuela’s potential oil industry recovery, Evanan Romero, was detained in Maracaibo on February 9, according to reports from Spanish news outlet ABC. The arrest comes as the Biden administration continues to weigh easing sanctions on Venezuela to boost global oil supplies.
Romero, a Venezuelan-American with decades of experience in the energy sector, was apprehended while attempting to travel to Caracas for meetings with international oil companies, including Spain’s Repsol and India’s Reliance, to discuss a potential return to operations in the Orinoco Belt.
Speaking to ABC from a private clinic in Maracaibo – where he was moved due to his age and medical condition at his own expense – Romero said he was stopped at the airport after being called over the loudspeaker. He was then detained by a police delegation and Interpol agents, spending the first night in an Interpol office.
Romero explained that he had arrived in Venezuela from Panama, with a layover in Colombia, to visit a brother before traveling to the capital. He said he has recently traveled to the United States and Europe without issue.
The detained expert claims his arrest is politically motivated and not a legitimate legal matter. He asserts he received no prior notification of any legal proceedings against him, and that the case stems from a previously resolved administrative dispute. Romero alleges the renewed legal challenge is linked to a former business partner with ties to prosecutor Tarek William Saab.
Despite reports of a “red notice” issued for his arrest, Romero maintains he has traveled internationally without incident. His initial court hearing in Maracaibo was postponed until Wednesday, and he has not yet been formally charged.
Romero is a well-known figure in the Venezuelan oil industry, having founded Intevep, served as viceminister of Energy and Mines (1996-1999), and held a leadership position at Pdvsa during the country’s oil sector opening. His technical expertise is seen as valuable in bridging the gap between past international standards and future reconstruction plans.
Caso de Evanan Romero
The detention of Romero underscores the challenges facing efforts to revitalize Venezuela’s oil production, a key component of the Biden administration’s strategy to stabilize global energy markets. The case highlights the complex political landscape surrounding potential foreign investment in the country’s oil sector.
