Venezuela’s oil industry continues to operate in the face of illegal sanctions by U.S., with the country’s executive vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, declaring that key oilfields—including Petro Anzoátegui, Piar, Independencia, Junín, Sucre, Quiriquire, Regional del Lago, and Cardón Cuatro—are currently at full production.

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Speaking at the inauguration of Expo Fedeindustria 2025, Rodriguez highlighted the resilience of the sector and its workers, despite ongoing unilateral coercive measures that have targeted the nation’s economy and energy resources.

Workers and Production: The Backbone of Venezuela’s Oil Industry

Rodriguez, also Minister of Petroleum, praised PDVSA’s workforce for maintaining production plans despite external sanctions.

She asserted, “The workers and workers of PDVSA maintain their production plan despite unilateral coercive measures,” underscoring that national law does not recognise foreign licensing restrictions, and agreements with international partners continue to be honoured.

Rejecting Extraterritorial Measures and Asserting Sovereignty

Rodriguez strongly criticised the United States’ revocation of operating licences for transnational companies, including Repsol, Eni, Maurel & Prom, Reliance Industries, and others.

She insisted that such measures are not acknowledged by Venezuela’s legal framework, reiterating that contracts with these companies will be upheld according to national interests.

“The measures of licence and non-licence are not recognised by the national legal system, and we maintain the agreements signed for production with our partners,” she said.

Geopolitical Intentions and the Quest for Energy Independence

During her address, Rodriguez accused powerful nations of seeking to control Venezuela’s energy resources.

She referenced Pentagon documents, stating that “the only visible intention is to seize the nation’s energy resources.”

In response, she declared that such actors must pay for access to Venezuela’s resources, rejecting any notion of neo-colonialism.

“Our response is that they have to pay, because we are not in a condition of neo-colonialism where the resources of a country are surrendered to hegemonic world actors,” she argued.

Building Equitable Partnerships Within BRICS

The vice president also outlined Venezuela’s strategy to forge alternative economic and diplomatic relationships.

She highlighted the importance of partnerships within the BRICS group, emphasising equality among member states.

“We are building relations based on respect, financial cooperation, and economic collaboration within the framework of the BRICS,” she stated, positioning Venezuela as an active participant in a multipolar world order.

Economic Blockade: Geopolitical and Strategic Motivations

The vice president attributed the economic blockade against Venezuela to geopolitical and strategic interests, especially concerning its significant energy resources.

She argued that the intent is to devalue Venezuela’s assets, but stressed that the country’s sovereign policy is to use its resources for the benefit of its own people.

“Venezuela has set its own sovereign policy for the use of Venezuelan resources for the happiness of Venezuelans,” she affirmed.

Resilience, Sovereignty and the Road Ahead

Despite external pressures and illegal coercive measures by the U.S. and the EU, Venezuela’s oil sector continues to operate and aims to increase output.

The government continues to assert its sovereignty over energy resources, reject foreign interference, and seek new partnerships within organisations like BRICS.

In Venezuela, the commitment to using resources for national development and the well-being of its citizens remains central to Government’s policy approach.

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