Maduro's fall raises hopes for economic bounty in Venezuela

CARACAS

After the U.S. raid that deposed Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's leader, citizens hope the ensuing talks on selling its oil to the United States may improve their dire economic fortunes.

U.S. forces shocked many when they bombed Caracas in the night and seized Maduro, but analysts agree that the raid has radically changed the country's outlook and economic expectations.

Maduro's successor, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, has insisted Venezuela is not "subordinate" to Washington after it seized him, but she has pledged to cooperate with it on oil.

Maduro's government had resorted to cryptocurrencies to boost foreign exchange flows amid a lack of investment, while runaway inflation wiped out people's already meager wages.

"I don't really understand those agreements signed by Trump and Delcy, but I hope they help improve the economy," said Marieta Ochoa, a 47-year-old teacher.

"Hopefully salaries go up...this inflation is unbearable."

Until Jan. 2, relations between the two countries were at their lowest: U.S. sanctions and seizures of tankers were squeezing Venezuela's shaky oil industry.

The country had been selling oil to allies such as China and Russia at discounts of up to 50 percent, with low production and export levels.

"Now, rapprochement between Washington and Caracas could mean easing sanctions, restoring oil exports and reviving cash flows," said Alejandro Grisanti, director of consultancy Ecoanalitica.

State oil company PDVSA has said it is negotiating crude sales with Washington under schemes similar to those applying to firms such as Chevron, the only U.S. company currently exempted from sanctions on dealing in Venezuelan crude.

Trump signed an order to safeguard Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S. Treasury accounts from the courts and debtors, and has urged U.S. oil firms to invest in Venezuela and restore its creaky oil infrastructure.

Analysts say interim president Rodriguez could attract investment if she signals openness and flexibility.

"The country urgently needs a growing and stable cash flow, and oil can provide it immediately," said independent economist Carlos Torrealba Rangel.

Growth prospects are strong since oil accounts for 87 percent of Venezuela's foreign currency earnings.

Asdrubal Oliveros, an independent economist, forecast "a 30-percent expansion, double the rate of the past two years."

"Increased oil income from higher output and reduced discounts will boost cash flows and help a currency market that is practically dry," he said.

Traders said economic activity was timidly looking up after the U.S. airstrikes on Jan. 3.

"Little by little, the economy is reactivating," said Carmen Alvarez, who represents informal traders in western Caracas.

"People are buying again, dollar payments are stabilizing after rampant speculation above the official rate. Food sales are being prioritized."

Uncertainty and lack of confidence in exchange policy drove prices higher during the week, as the parallel dollar surged over 50 percent to about 800 bolivars.

Oliveros said the government was virtually out of foreign currency.

"There were practically no dollar revenues, and even crypto inflows had stalled."

But by the weekend, the unofficial dollar fell to 530 bolivars, possibly driven by optimism over the oil deal, analysts said.

They warned however that Venezuela's economy remained fragile.

They stressed that the short term would be marked by uncertainty, requiring close monitoring of key variables such as exchange rates and inflation.

"Venezuela is on the brink of hyperinflation. The only way to avert it is through a constitutional, peaceful political transition to reorganize the economy," said Jose Guerra, an economist and former head of the country's central bank.