On September 2 (Washington time), according to AFP news agency, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright rejected accusations that the US is "stealing Venezuelan oil", after Venezuela allowed US businesses to access a large part of its oil and gas resources.
Mr. Wright came to Venezuela to oversee the signing ceremony of a series of energy agreements worth billions of USD. According to the agreement, the US will control most of the more than 65 billion barrels of oil, equivalent to nearly 20% of Venezuela's oil reserves. This is the country that owns the world's largest proven oil reserves.
The Venezuelan government expects to collect about 209 billion USD in 25 years from the agreement.
Mr. Wright affirmed that oil still belongs to the Venezuelan people. According to him, private companies will provide capital for oil exploitation, while royalties, taxes and economic benefits will belong to the government and people of Venezuela.
The US Energy Secretary said that Washington's goal is to bring capital and technology into exploiting oil assets that are underground but have not been used effectively.
Mr. Wright also emphasized that Venezuela needs to urgently restore the power system, in the context that many areas in this country regularly suffer prolonged power outages for many hours each day.
According to him, the oil and gas industry also depends on stable power sources to operate. The US is considering taking advantage of Venezuela's existing electricity infrastructure in a 5-year plan.
US President Donald Trump previously called the agreement announced on August 28 "the largest oil deal in world history".
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump on September 2 rejected the call to hold elections right in Venezuela. He said that the country is not ready for a vote, after President Nicolas Maduro was arrested by US forces in January.
The then Vice President of Mr. Maduro, Ms. Delcy Rodriguez, currently runs the Venezuelan interim government. Ms. Delcy Rodriguez said elections will be held when Venezuela is "ready".
Mr. Wright believes that elections should be seen as a process in which Venezuela must first carry out reforms, including reforming the Supreme Court.
He said the US wants to continue to prepare the necessary infrastructure and hold elections at a suitable time. According to the US Energy Secretary, the economy and the country's situation need to be stabilized before voting.
