Caracas Chronicles

🫓✍️Call for pitches! Caracas Chronicles has always been nourished by a unique network of expert contributors inside and outside Venezuela, across disciplines and experiences. We now want to share your stories and insights as we approach the 1st anniversary of July 28, 2024🧵👇

Last week we were asking wink wink what was Maduro getting out of the “prisoner swap.”

🫓 @WSJ says: Trump Administration Greenlights Chevron to Resume Pumping Oil In Venezuela

🫓 Friday, 7:00 pm Can only mean one thing: hora loca in Caracas (and DC).

On paper it looks as if Rubio, not Grenell, was who brought home the deal that offered a lifeline to Maduro. Everyone’s “sources with knowledge in the matter” are saying the gringos will issue permits for Chevron's return. Mini-editorial in El Feed👇 caracaschronicles.com/el-feed/chevro…

Maduro and the Rodríguez siblings have relied on men like Gustavo Duque (Chacao) and Darwin González (Baruta) to administer pockets of Caracas enjoyed by high-ranking chavistas and their families. Will that end after Sunday's municipal vote?👇 caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/25/opp…

What will happen to Venezuela’s wealthiest municipalities after the vote on Sunday, to places like Chacao, Baruta, San Diego and Maneiro? The country’s blue bastions are more vulnerable than ever to falling into chavismo’s hands. @FVillaNegrin dives in👇 caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/25/opp…

Wrote about Jesús Armas (after speaking with @SairamRivas) and the systematic persecution of activists & local leaders linked to @ConVzlaComando. Disappearance, torture and isolation for playing key role in Caracas a year ago, ahead of 28J vote. ES/EN👇 caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/24/jes…

🫓 Still waiting to see how the story develops, we don’t know whether Chevron will be authorized to operate in Venezuela via General or Special license or a comfort letter. We see folks saying oh, but wait! because WSJ reports that Chevron will not be able to pay royalties or…

McCain Global Leader Jesús Armas was detained by the Maduro regime in December 2024. The McCain Institute’s Pedro Pizano spoke with @CaracasChron about Armas’ humanitarian impact, and how the McCain Institute is advocating for his release. @freejesusarmas

After 7 months in custody—and currently incommunicado—Jesús Armas remains an emblematic case of systemic persecution against opposition organizers from the 2024 electoral campaign. Allies of Machado and her Vente Venezuela party still bear the brunt👇caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/24/jes…

Between Altamira and El Miedo. 👇 caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/22/ret…

Releer Doña Bárbara en 2025 es como irse de vacaciones con unos fantasmas caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/22/ret… vía @CaracasChron

Releer Doña Bárbara en 2025 es como irse de vacaciones con unos fantasmas 👇 caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/22/ret…

One in nine Venezuelan municipalities have had “issues” with their mayors since the December 2021 elections: ▪️ 18 arrested ▪️ 12 disqualified ▪️ 3 under investigation for alleged corruption ▪️ 4 being persecuted Not the safest job. By @DiarioTalCual👇 caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/20/pol…

According to a review by @DiarioTalCual, 62.68% of incumbent mayors are seeking re-election in the municipal vote next Sunday. Leadership renewal at a local level remains still as persecution targets promising activists and Machado rejects participation👇 caracaschronicles.com/2025/07/20/pol…