He United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, holds a meeting in Caracas with Delcy Rodríguez to promote a “historic” energy agreementin the first visit by a senior Washington official after the military attack of January 3 and in the midst of the decisions of both countries to facilitate oil investment.
Wright arrived at the Miraflores presidential palace two weeks after a reform of law approved by the Venezuelan Parliament that opens the oil sector to foreign investment and after the US Treasury Department relaxed restrictions for US oil companies to operate in Venezuela.
In a statement, the Department of Energy described Wright’s arrival “historical”who will visit the country’s oil fields to observe first-hand how the agreement is “promoting peace and prosperity”.
The official arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport from Caracas, where he was received by the American chargé d’affaires, Laura Doguand Venezuelan authorities such as the Vice Minister of Petroleum, Paula Henao Veraand the vice minister for Europe and North America, Andrea Corao Faria.
Dogu stated in X that it is a visit “key” to advancing President Donald Trump’s vision of a “prosperous Venezuela”.
In addition to the meeting with Rodríguez, the official agenda includes meetings with businessmen and international media, and visits to facilities of the joint companies Petroindependencia and Petropiar, where Chevron operates in the state of Anzoátegui.
On Tuesday, the Treasury Department issued new licenses that relax restrictions for US companies to operate in the Venezuelan oil market under strict conditions. Until now, Chevron was the only North American oil company with a special license to operate in Venezuela.
After the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3Trump asked “total access” to Venezuelan oil resourcesand Secretary Wright assured that Washington will control the sale of crude oil from the South American country for an indefinite period.
He Two weeks ago, the Venezuelan Parliament approved a reform of the hydrocarbon law that opens the sector to private and foreign investment, after years of state control.
On January 21, Rodríguez estimated that Income from crude oil sales will increase “by 37%” in 2026 and announced the creation of two sovereign funds for money managementwhich, he anticipated, will have a transparency mechanism.
