Machado says Venezuela needs ‘more than money’ after US oil deal

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado called for a democratic transition after the country's interim government signed a deal granting the United States access to more than 65 billion barrels, nearly 20% of Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest proven reserves in the world. President Trump and interim leader Delcy Rodríguez both dismissed the prospect of near-term elections while celebrating what Trump called a ‘historic’ pact.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Venezuela to oversee signings with Chevron, GE Vernova and Italy's ENI, telling reporters the U.S. was not ‘stealing Venezuelan oil’ but bringing money and technology to an idle asset. Rodríguez, installed after U.S. forces ousted Nicolás Maduro in January, echoed Trump's rejection of elections.

Machado, speaking from exile in Panama, said Venezuela ‘needs much more than money’ and questioned the deal's transparency, asking who signed it and what exactly was agreed to. She maintained the subsoil wealth belongs to the Venezuelan people while stopping short of directly criticizing the United States, calling it the ‘main partner’ Venezuela needs.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.