**Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez Defends U.S. Oil Deal Amid Growing Opposition**
*Dubai, 30 August 2026* – Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez faced criticism on Sunday from opposition leaders and former members of the ruling Chavista movement over a newly announced oil agreement with the United States.
The 25‑year contract, disclosed earlier this month, would allow U.S. investors to obtain majority control over production linked to approximately 65 billion barrels of proven crude reserves in Venezuela. Critics argue that the deal compromises national sovereignty and gives foreign interests disproportionate influence over the country’s oil sector.
In a televised address, Rodríguez defended the arrangement, asserting that Venezuela would retain ownership of its natural resources and maintain sovereignty while benefiting from U.S. capital and expertise. She emphasized that the partnership is intended to revitalize the nation’s oil industry, which has suffered from years of underinvestment and sanctions.
Opposition figures and former Chavista officials, however, described the pact as a “sell‑out” of Venezuela’s assets. They contend that granting the United States majority control over such a large portion of the country’s reserves could undermine the government’s ability to manage its own energy policy.
The agreement, which spans a quarter‑century, has sparked a broader debate within Venezuela about the balance between attracting foreign investment and preserving control over strategic resources. No further details of the contract’s terms have been released, and the government has not indicated whether it will seek parliamentary approval.
The story was first reported by *Arabian Post* on its website.
Article source: thearabianpost.com | Image credit: Saudi Arabia pushes for US defense pact as 2024 presidential election …
