What is María Corina Machado's position on the Venezuela-US oil agreement announced under Delcy Rodríguez's interim administration?

Machado faults the agreement's lack of transparency—specifically questioning 'who is signing it, who will provide financing and guarantees and how Venezuelans will benefit'—and rejects Rodríguez's authority by calling her regime 'illegitimate,' yet she stops short of opposing the deal itself and instead affirms the US as Venezuela's 'natural partner' in developing its energy resources, advocating for a 'strong, mutually beneficial partnership.'

Why does Machado refrain from outright rejecting the oil agreement despite challenging Rodríguez's legitimacy?

Her cautious stance reflects a strategic political calculation: seeking to return to Venezuela and compete for power requires support from the Trump administration, which has made the oil agreement 'a centerpiece of its relationship with Rodríguez' and expects future Venezuelan governments to honor it.

Machado Faults Venezuela Oil Deal Terms But Backs US Partnership

Sep 3, 2026

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado questioned the terms of a major oil agreement between Venezuela and the Trump administration but supported a US partnership for developing energy resources. The deal grants the US control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan crude amidst political disputes over legitimacy.

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