Venezuela has imported crude oil, fuel, additives and refining components have been imported for as long as [state oil corporation] PDVSA has existed. Due to mismanagement, terrible strategies, frequent [workplace] accidents, increased corruption and the operational dismantling of the firm, imports have steadily increased, reaching levels never seen before. This has especially been the case under PDVSA Presidents Rafael Ramirez [2004-14], Eulogio del Pino [2014-17] and Manuel Quevedo [2017-20] (1). This increase in fuel imports has subsequently led to a continuous growth of costs, hindering investment and the necessary maintenance of infrastructure and core processes. Importing versus shortages From 2007, the Siembra Petrolera plan (Sowing Oil Plan) (2) led to a switch away from crude oil production in traditional regions, which are necessary for certain local processes. This […]