Interim President Rodriguez Says Venezuela Should Not Fear U.S. Energy Ties

VENEZUELA – Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, said on Sunday (January 25) that the country should not be afraid to pursue energy ties with the United States as it seeks to expand oil and gas production and attract investment.

“We must not be afraid of the energy agenda, neither with the United States nor with the rest of the countries in the world,” Rodriguez said during an event with oil workers at state oil company PDVSA’s Puerto La Cruz refinery in Anzoategui state, eastern Venezuela. 

Rodriguez also backed proposed changes to Venezuela’s hydrocarbons framework to increase productivity and attract “large amounts of national and international investment” to develop reserves.

Venezuela’s National Assembly approved the proposed reform in an initial vote on Thursday (January 22), with a second debate vote still needed for final approval. The proposal would create a new contract model allowing foreign and local companies to operate oilfields, market output and receive proceeds from sales even when acting as minority partners of state oil company PDVSA.