Venezuelan interim president announces 25-year energy agreement with the U.S.

The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, announced that the new energy agreement with the United States will last for 25 years. The pact involves the exploration of 17 oil fields and is projected to generate a production of 1.5 million barrels per day, resulting in estimated revenues of $209 billion for Caracas.

Rodríguez emphasized the importance of maintaining the country's sovereignty over its natural resources, stating that Venezuela will retain control over the oil despite American operations. "The decision-making power remains in Caracas," she said in a televised speech.

According to the agreement, $19 of each barrel of oil sold to the United States will be directed to the Venezuelan government. This aspect of the contract was highlighted by Rodríguez as a confirmation of the country's sovereignty in managing its resources.

The assertion that Venezuela maintains ownership and sovereignty over its reserves has been met with criticism and concerns regarding American influence in the national oil industry. Observers of international relations have expressed varying opinions on the potential impact of this pact on the Venezuelan economy and its internal politics.

In recent days, discussions regarding the opening of Venezuela's oil industry to foreign investors have intensified, involving various stakeholders, and the government seems determined to counter any negative perceptions of loss of control.

Rodríguez's argument, aimed at easing tensions over the issue of sovereignty, suggests a government effort to highlight that the agreement will not compromise national management of oil, which remains a sensitive issue on Venezuela's political agenda.