Venezuela and United States review bilateral energy agenda in Caracas

Caracas is hosting high-level discussions on energy cooperation as Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, met with a U.S. delegation. The meeting, led by U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Barrett, aimed to review and advance the bilateral energy agenda.

Technical experts from both sides participated, including Toby Deen, senior policy advisor for the U.S. Energy Domain Council, and Andrew Rapp, acting deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Energy. While U.S. officials remained publicly silent after the talks, Venezuela's Presidential Press office issued a statement.

The statement highlighted Venezuela's foreign policy focus on "shared development of peoples" and global energy market stability. It reaffirmed the South American nation's position as a "secure, stable, and reliable" crude oil provider. Rodríguez was supported by key economic and hydrocarbon ministers, including Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao and PDVSA President Héctor Obregón.

This bilateral engagement follows recent reports of a significant increase in Venezuelan oil exports, reaching 1.25 million barrels per day – the highest level in seven years. U.S. officials have attributed this recovery partly to contingency plans and investments made under the Trump administration. The ongoing cooperation between Venezuela's interim government and global private investors is seen as a key driver of economic recovery, aligning with OPEC's May report of a 27.6% net increase in Venezuelan crude production between January and May 2026.