US Secretary of Energy meets with Delcy Rodríguez at Miraflores Palace in Caracas
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright holds a meeting in Caracas with acting president Delcy Rodríguez to promote a 'historic' energy agreement, marking the first visit by a high-ranking Washington official after last January's military attack and amidst decisions by both countries to facilitate oil investment. The US Department of Energy called Wright's arrival 'historic,' stating he will 'visit some of the country's oil fields to observe firsthand how President Trump's historic US-Venezuela Energy Agreement is driving peace and prosperity.' The US Treasury Department issued two new licenses that relax restrictions for US companies to operate in the Venezuelan oil market, although under strict control and reporting conditions. The Venezuelan Parliament approved a reform to the hydrocarbons law two weeks ago that opens the sector to private and foreign investment after years of state control.
TL;DR
- US Energy Secretary Chris Wright met with Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas.
- The meeting aims to promote a 'historic' energy agreement between the US and Venezuela.
- This is the first visit by a high-ranking US official to Venezuela since January.
- The US Treasury Department has issued new licenses easing restrictions for US oil companies in Venezuela.
- Venezuela recently reformed its hydrocarbons law to open the oil sector to foreign investment.
- Wright is scheduled to visit joint venture facilities operated by Chevron.