Trump’s oil deal riles both sides of Venezuelan political divide
One potential advantage for Venezuela's acting president is if a deal with the U.S. hems in the Trump administration's incentive to press for swift elections.
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez sparked controversy on both sides of the political divide by agreeing to grant the United States exclusive access to the country's vast oil resources. Critics argue that this deal could strengthen Rodríguez's grip on power, while opposition forces express outrage over the arrangement.
One potential benefit for Rodríguez lies in the deal's provision for the U.S. to gain majority control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan crude. This arrangement might limit the Trump administration's motivation to push for early elections, according to Risa Grais-Targow, Latin America director at Eurasia Group. Grais-Targow suggests that the agreement could bolster Trump's commitment to working with Rodríguez and dampen calls for a new vote.
The opposition's dissatisfaction with the deal is evident, as they believe it undermines democratic processes and bolsters Rodríguez's authority. However, Rodríguez may have calculated that the deal would serve her political interests by reducing pressure to hold elections sooner.
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