Venezuela’s interim president alleges 'energy greed' behind US actions, says Trump's pressure is really about oil

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez - File Photo

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez rejected US allegations of drug ties and rights abuses, calling them excuses for US “energy greed.” She said Venezuela is open to fair energy deals and urged national unity, as US-Venezuela tensions remain high.

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Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez has strongly rejected recent United States allegations against her government, saying they are built on “falsehoods” and driven not by concerns over drugs or democracy but by “energy greed” and Washington’s desire for Venezuela’s vast natural resources.

Rodriguez made the remarks during a live broadcast on state television VTV as tensions between Caracas and Washington remain high following the dramatic US capture of former president Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.

Rodriguez said that claims tying her country to narcotics trafficking, democratic backsliding, and human rights abuses are merely excuses used by Washington to justify pressure on Venezuela. “You all know that the energy greed of the North wants the resources of our country. All the falsehoods about drug trafficking, democracy, and human rights were the excuses,” she said.

Addressing future energy ties with the United States, Rodriguez insisted Venezuela is open to commercial arrangements that benefit “all parties.” She said Caracas seeks energy relationships “where cooperation is clearly defined in a commercial agreement.”

Rodriguez also acknowledged a deep rift in bilateral relations, saying, “There is a stain on our relations such as had never occurred in our history,” during a meeting with national assembly leaders.

In a separate announcement, Rodriguez previewed an upcoming bill intended to promote national stability and unity. She called on political forces in Venezuela to work together to heal internal divisions and said that “extremist or fascist social, political, and economic expressions cannot be allowed, because they have led to very dangerous situations for the life of this Republic. That is why we must have programs for peace and national coexistence.”

Her comments came hours after US President Donald Trump said Venezuela would use revenue from a new oil agreement to exclusively buy American-made goods, according to El Cooperante. Trump wrote on Truth Social that “Venezuela will exclusively purchase products manufactured in the United States with the money it receives from our new Oil Agreement” and listed agricultural products, medicines, medical devices, and equipment to improve Venezuela’s electrical grid and energy facilities among the planned imports.

Trump described Venezuela’s commitment to doing business with the US as “wise and very beneficial” for both nations.