US energy secretary defends Venezuela oil deal with interim government
World · 2 September 2026
Written by AI from multiple news reports
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright flew to Venezuela on Tuesday to support a new oil deal between the two countries. The agreement gives the US control of 17 oil fields that were previously run by Chinese and Russian companies. Venezuela's national assembly approved the deal on the same day.
Wright said the US is not trying to take over Venezuelan oil or break the country's constitution. Trump has called it "a historic transaction" that will fill US oil reserves. Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said the benefits of the deal are very large.
US officials say the agreement will help rebuild democracy in Venezuela. The deal was reached after former leader Nicolás Maduro lost power.