The United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, denied on Wednesday that the country is "stealing Venezuelan oil," after criticism of the agreement considered "historic" between the two nations. In an interview with the news agency, Wright stated: "The resources, the oil of Venezuela, effectively belong to the Venezuelan people," reacting to headlines that accused the US of stealing the South American country's resources.
President Donald Trump announced on August 28 that the United States would take majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves, representing approximately 20% of the country's reserves. The agreement stipulates that Venezuela receive $209 billion, equivalent to approximately R$ 1.064 trillion at the current exchange rate, over a period of 25 years.
Wright also stated that more agreements will be signed with Venezuela in the future, indicating that the partnership between the two countries is expected to expand beyond the oil sector. The agreement generated international controversy, with critics questioning the terms favorable to the United States in the exploration of Venezuelan resources.
