Maria Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure in Venezuela, criticized the signing of a major oil development deal between the United States and the Venezuelan government.
On the 3rd (local time), Machado said in a statement, "Venezuela's underground resources belong to the Venezuelan people, not to an illegal regime." Labeling the government led by interim President Delcy Rodríguez (57) an "illegal regime," she questioned the legitimacy of the deal Rodríguez's government signed with the United States.
Machado said, "The oil sector is only part of the massive reconstruction effort we must undertake in Venezuela," adding, "Venezuela needs massive investment, but it needs something more than money."
A day earlier, the United States signed an agreement securing access to 65 billion barrels—one-fifth of the oil reserves—of Venezuela, the country with the world's largest oil deposits. U.S. President Donald Trump and interim President Rodríguez called the deal a "historic agreement."
At the same time, President Trump also drew a line on the possibility of an early presidential election in Venezuela. While some observers say that if a presidential vote is held in Venezuela, President Trump could support Rodríguez, Machado focused on raising questions about the legitimacy of Rodríguez's government.
Machado said, "I understand well the sadness, anger and anxiety people feel that someone, in our name and without even asking our will, is arbitrarily deciding our asset."
Still, seeming to avoid a direct confrontation with President Trump, she added, "For Venezuela to fully leverage its strategic value, the United States is an essential core partner."