Venezuela’s interim government under Acting President Delcy Rodríguez granted North American Blue Energy Partners rights the White House described as covering 17 fields (~65 billion barrels) for 100 years, with a Pentagon office holding 35% of the parent firm; Rodríguez has called the energy deal 25 years. Treasury on Sept. 14 widened licenses for PDVSA-related U.S. investment; that is permission, not proof of money on the ground.

At UNGA she promised a presidential vote with no date. Reuters says court and electoral-authority changes could push a contest back a year or more. The author wants a public calendar, an independent electoral body, an overseas-inclusive voter roll, and observers.

A U.N. fact-finding mission reported fewer long-term political detentions and some protest space after Maduro’s January capture, but also party takeovers, María Corina Machado still barred, and weak courts; talks omit her movement. Oil opening is not treated as evidence of a democratic transition.

Venezuela’s interim government has moved ahead with a major oil agreement with the United States, but has yet to set a date for its promised presidential election.

The White House on Aug. 31 noted that the Venezuelan interim government had given North American Blue Energy Partners rights to 17 oil fields containing around 65 billion barrels of proven reserves. The concessions were claimed to be for 100 years, while a Pentagon office was given a 35% share of the parent company. But Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has referred to the entire energy deal between the two countries as being for 25 years. Neither account explains how the two-time frames fit together (White House; Reuters).

On Sept. 14, the U.S. Treasury amended a license that allows established U.S. entities to enter into new investment contracts and joint ventures involving Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA, subject to conditions. A license authorizes transactions; it does not establish how much investment has reached Venezuela (Treasury).

Nine days later, Rodríguez told the U.N. General Assembly that there would be........

© Eurasia Review