Delcy Rodríguez répond à la polémique sur le pétrole vénézuélien après l'accord avec les États-Unis: "Il aura un grand impact"

Delcy Rodríguez, interim president of Venezuela, responded to controversy surrounding the country’s oil agreement with the United States on Saturday, August 29, stating that the “historic” deal would have a “great impact.” The agreement, announced the previous day, allows the U.S. to operate 17 strategic oil fields in Venezuela under a long-term contract, potentially unlocking up to 65 billion barrels of oil over time. Rodríguez emphasized that Venezuela retains ownership and sovereignty over its resources, asserting that the arrangement ensures the nation will receive minimum royalties of 16 percent and income taxes of 34 percent from the operations. According to her, each barrel produced and sold could bring approximately $19 directly into the country. The agreement was reached seven months after the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro during a U.S.-backed military operation, which marked a turning point in the strained relationship between Venezuela and Washington. Since taking power, Rodríguez has pursued reforms in the oil and mining sectors, opening the door to foreign investment. She described her approach as choosing “the path of diplomacy” with the U.S., aiming to position Venezuela as a major energy power capable of producing oil, exporting gas, and developing petrochemical industries. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, yet exploration of new fields has been nearly halted for almost a decade. Despite recent improvements, production has only risen by 29.8 percent since January, reaching 1.2 million barrels per day by July, still far below the 3 million barrels per day recorded at the end of the last century. The new agreement aims to boost output through U.S. involvement in key oil fields, with expectations that the 17 fields could eventually reach 1.5 million barrels per day, bringing Venezuela closer to historical production levels. Experts suggest this target might take years to achieve. The deal involves a projected investment of $100 billion over the course of the agreement, which spans several decades. Under the terms, the U.S. will manage these fields while maintaining a financial stake in the venture. The agreement has sparked speculation about whether Venezuela might ultimately transfer its oil reserves to American control, though Rodríguez explicitly denied such concerns, insisting that the country will retain control over its resources. The agreement comes amid broader geopolitical tensions, including a recent decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to rename a Canadian lake, which heightened diplomatic friction with Canada. While the renaming issue appears unrelated, it underscores the ongoing shifts in international relations involving the U.S. and Latin America. Venezuela estimates that the agreement could generate around $209 billion in revenue over 25 years. However, critics argue that the long-term implications remain unclear, particularly regarding how much of the profits will benefit the Venezuelan economy versus being repatriated to U.S. investors. Analysts also question whether the agreement will lead to sustainable economic recovery or merely provide temporary relief given the country’s deepening economic crisis. As the agreement moves forward, the focus will shift toward implementation and monitoring. The success of the deal will depend on factors such as operational efficiency, compliance with contractual obligations, and the ability of Venezuela to maintain control over its resources despite external pressures. For now, Rodríguez remains confident, framing the agreement as a step toward restoring Venezuela’s status as a leading energy producer in the region.