Evanan Romero, an oil adviser who previously served as the director of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, was held for four days until his release on Tuesday. A dual citizen of Venezuela and the United States, he is known for consulting for international oil firms and advising opposition leader María Corina Machado. His detention caught public attention due to his age and the nature of his expertise in the oil sector.

Romero was arrested at the airport in Maracaibo, Venezuela’s second-largest city, on February 13, following a request for his arrest due to charges dating back to May 2025 for fraud and conspiracy. However, the Venezuelan Public Ministry clarified that his detention was unrelated to the oil industry or any activities connected to it, which raises questions about the political motivations behind his arrest, particularly as he is associated with the opposition.

The release of Romero comes at a significant time, amid ongoing tensions within Venezuela regarding political dissent and the country’s troubled oil industry. His case draws attention not just for its implications on international relations between Venezuela and the United States, but also for the broader human rights context in which political advisors and dissenters find themselves in Venezuela's current political climate.