The president in charge of VenezuelaDelcy Rodríguez, announced the call for a popular consultation on the economy, at a time when he is promoting an oil reform in the country.
The consultation is scheduled for next March 8, with the objective of citizens choosing projects linked to production, infrastructure, public services and urban development, according to press reports.
According to cnnthe announcement was made during the first meeting of the Federal Government Council, where Rodríguez specified that the consultation will coincide with International Women’s Day.
“The Popular Consultation will be held on March 8, Women’s Day, so that we go with the spirit of our women, with the spirit of our warriors,” he stated.
As explained by the interim president, Venezuelans must choose initiatives aimed at economic reactivationthe promotion of productive projects and the improvement of essential services such as water supply, electricity and public transport.
In the same forum, Rodríguez assured that the country’s income will increase by 37% in 2026, which, he said, will allow greater resources to be transferred to regional and local authorities. “You are going to have more resources for your management, which I know you need,” he said.
Oil reform and rapprochement with Washington
The current Venezuelan Government will also begin a debate in the National Assembly for a partial reform of the Organic Law of Hydrocarbons, a key norm that regulates oil exploitation in the country.
Rodríguez had already announced that he would promote changes in this legislation, in a context marked by the interest of the Trump Administration in accessing Venezuelan crude oil.
According to the agency Reutersthe reform, approved in the first instance, “would allow foreign and local companies to operate oil fields on their own through a new contract model, market the production and receive the profits from the sale even if they act as minority partners of the state-owned PDVSA.”
The White House recently announced agreements between Caracas and Washington for the sale of oil, a relationship that was strengthened after the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 during a US military operation.
In this framework, Rodríguez confirmed the income of 300 million dollars to the country as a result of the sale of oil, within a global agreement for 500 million dollars.
“Of the first 500 million, 300 million have entered,” he declared during a visit to a commune base in Caracas.
The Executive also presented a draft organic law for the protection of socioeconomic rights, with the aim of reinforcing legal security and stimulating investment.
The lack of legal guarantees has been one of the main concerns expressed by executives of American oil companies, who raised the issue directly with Trump as a condition for investing in Venezuela.
Trump supports the leadership of Delcy Rodríguez
Trump himself confirmed this Thursday that he spoke again with the opponent María Corina Machado, although he highlighted the performance of the current interim government, referred EFE.
“Right now, they are showing very strong leadership. I also spoke today with Maria, whom I appreciate very much, but Delcy has shown very strong leadership, at least until now“said the American president.
Trump has for now ruled out Machado to lead the Venezuelan transitionconsidering that it does not have sufficient internal support, and has chosen to support Rodríguez as a figure of stability in the scenario after Maduro’s departure.
