Exxon-Mobil, the largest oil company in the world, was openly denounced by Venezuelan energy minister Rafael Ramirez, who said that Exxon was no longer welcome in Venezuela, and “we will call them when we need them.” This was as a result of public criticism from Venezuela’s move to increase royalties on the Orinoco region, threatening to take the issue to international courts. The relationship between Venezuela and Exxon is more nuanced than was suggested by the energy minister’s harsh statements: for instance, Exxon-Mobil only processes 1 to 2 percent of the nation’s petroleum output.