Caracas Rejected US Pressure and Declared Readiness for Equal Deals
Statements by Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez outlined a firm position by Caracas in response to pressure from the United States. The country’s authorities view Washington’s recent actions as aggression and an attempt to forcibly impose conditions affecting sovereignty and control over natural resources.
The context of these statements is linked to a sharp escalation around Venezuela, including loss of life and the removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse by US forces. Rodríguez emphasized that accusations of drug trafficking are being used as a pretext to establish control over the country’s largest oil and gas reserves, which, according to Caracas, should serve domestic development.
A separate issue was the response to Donald Trump’s remarks that revenues from a new oil deal should be directed exclusively toward the purchase of American goods. Venezuelan authorities rejected this framing, stating that they are ready for energy cooperation only on mutually beneficial terms and without political pressure.
The state oil company PDVSA clarified that existing arrangements with the United States are commercial in nature. The company stressed that these deals do not affect Venezuela’s strategic alliances and do not imply a revision of foreign policy or abandonment of partnerships that Caracas considers important for protecting the interests of the population.
The consequences of this position may be twofold. On the one hand, Venezuela demonstrates readiness for economic engagement and resource exports. On the other, it clearly defines the boundary beyond which cooperation turns into pressure. This narrows the space for compromise and intensifies confrontation with Washington.
It remains unclear whether this approach will lead to a revision of US demands or to new pressure measures. However, Caracas’ position shows that the country does not intend to change its course under external conditions and seeks to retain control over key sectors of the economy.