Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado addressed the U.S. Government today to defend that Washington's enemy in Venezuela is Caracas's executive, days after the signing of the oil agreement between the countries.
© Lusa
03/09/2026
by
Lusa
“The enemies of the United States in Venezuela are today in Miraflores”, said Nobel Peace winner 2025, referring to the presidential palace in Caracas, in a video published on her social networks since Panama, where she lives.
This was the first reaction of the opposition leader to the oil deal, the day after the visit to Caracas by U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, which culminated in the signing of several agreements with US and Italian companies, granting Washington control of more than 20% of the South American crude oil reserves.
“ The heritage of our subsoil does not belong to an illegitimate regime, it belongs to the Venezuelan people. Of course, the United States is the main partner that Venezuela needs to fully develop its strategic value,” said Corina Machado.
The opposition leader also asked that “parallelly to economic reforms” be established “an electoral calendar” in Venezuela to elect “a new president”.
On Wednesday, American President Donald Trump once again said that Venezuela “is not ready” for elections.
Without making specific reference to a suffrage, the opposition leader continued to claim a “transition to democracy, which has not yet happened”.
Trump reiterated on Wednesday that, although Machado “queira” elections, his administration goes very well with the Venezuelan executive led by interim President, Delcy Rodríguez, who took the place in January after the US captured the former leader, Nicolás Maduro.
“ We took them out of a dictatorship and got along very well with the government. Delcy, as you know, is doing a very, very good job. It is very respected and we want it [elections] and they want it too. Delcy wants to, but they are not ready yet”, said the Republican leader of 80 years.
Delcy Rodríguez confirmed shortly after there will be elections in the country, for which authorities are working “without rest,” he said.
“ There will be an electoral process, but under the conditions in which Venezuela is prepared,” he said, being questioned during a press conference alongside the Secretary of American Energy.
On Friday, eight months after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the US Army, Donald Trump announced the conclusion of an agreement with Venezuela that would allow the United States to take over the majority control of over 65 billion barrels of oil reserves in the country.
Venezuela estimates that it will gain USD 209 billion (about EUR 179 billion) over 25 years.
On Wednesday, following this agreement with Washington, Venezuela signed contracts with the oil companies Chevron and ENI to extend its activities in the country as well as with GE Vernova to restructure the electrical sector.
“ The oil sector is only a part of the immense reconstruction that we must undertake in Venezuela. It requires colossal investments, but needs much more than money ", said Corina Machado.
“ I know what you [venezuelans] feel sadness, anger and that malaise so recurrent in our history, because someone decides what belongs to us in our name without consulting us. The real scope of this agreement is not yet known: who signs? What do you sign, really? Who invests the money? Who provides the guarantees?” questioned the opposition leader.