US Energy Secretary Visits Venezuela for Oil Talks

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited Venezuela for high-level meetings with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and energy executives, marking the highest-level U.S. energy policy visit in nearly three decades. The visit aims to boost Venezuela's oil, gas, and power output, with the U.S. prepared to assist in the country's energy industry reconstruction. This initiative follows a $2 billion oil supply deal and a $100 billion reconstruction plan promoted by Donald Trump. The U.S. also issued a new general license to facilitate oil and gas exploration and production in Venezuela. This move reflects a longer-term U.S. geostrategic interest in reshaping global energy markets and pressuring Russia, while also aiming to improve Venezuela's economy through increased job opportunities and wages. Venezuela's National Assembly has already approved reforms to its primary oil law to encourage foreign investment.