US President Donald Trump recently met with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez at the UN General Assembly, marking their first meeting since the US supported her leadership following a raid in Caracas that led to Nicolás Maduro’s capture. The meeting took place near the New York jail where Maduro awaits trial on drug trafficking charges. Discussions focused on cooperation in energy, mining, and security. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were also present. Rodríguez’s government has agreed to allow the US control over a significant portion of Venezuela’s oil reserves, with a US-led company receiving 100-year concessions on 17 oilfields. Trump described this as the largest oil deal in history. Rodríguez, who was previously sanctioned by the US, was sworn in as interim president with US support after the raid. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado remains barred from returning to the country.
QUESTION: How might the control of Venezuela’s oil reserves by the US impact the country’s future economic and political landscape?
Trump meets US-backed Venezuelan president for first time since Maduro seized
