U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright delivered remarks in Caracas, Venezuela, alongside Interim President Delcy Rodriguez after meetings at the Miraflores Palace. The discussions centered on improving relations and economic cooperation between the United States and Venezuela.
During his speech, Secretary Wright emphasized the longstanding relationship between the two countries. He conveyed a message from President Trump regarding future engagement: “He is passionately committed to absolutely transforming the relationship between the United States and Venezuela. This is part of a broader agenda to make the Americas great again, to bring our countries closer together, and to bring commerce, peace, prosperity, jobs, and opportunity to the people of Venezuela in partnership with the United States. These are not just words or ambitions. We have very specific plans and very specific actions already.”
Secretary Wright highlighted that U.S. policy aims for peaceful engagement through trade and commerce rather than conflict. “This is President Trump’s broader agenda: peace, commerce, and trade, not conflict, not military action, not what has dominated so much of our world. Whether it’s in the Middle East, whether it’s in South Asia, or maybe, most importantly, in the Americas, we want commerce, we want peace, we want prosperity, we want security,” he said.
Wright described efforts by Washington officials working continuously to issue licenses that allow businesses—both established and new—to invest in Venezuela’s economy. The goal is to encourage increased oil production and create new job opportunities for Venezuelans.
“We had very wonderful and candid dialogues today,” Wright stated about his meeting with Rodriguez. “We both spoke very candidly about the tremendous opportunities in front of us, and some of the problems and challenges, and we committed to work together to solve those problems and challenges.”
The secretary also noted Venezuela’s significant natural resources but stressed that human capital is even more important for progress: “But more important than those natural resources is the incredible humans…their pride, their education, their passion to drive forward.”
He concluded by expressing optimism about future cooperation: “We believe…that working together…this year we can drive a dramatic increase in Venezuelan oil production…and most importantly of all…increase job opportunities…for all of the Venezuelans across the country.”
Recent U.S. Department of Energy initiatives have focused on expanding clean energy access domestically as well as encouraging international cooperation on energy issues. For example,
the department announced a $225 million program funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at implementing advanced building energy codes intended to lower utility bills (https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-launches-225-million-program-lower-utility-bills-through-more). Other recent efforts include promoting technology development for environmental cleanup (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/technology-development-aiding-em-mission-senior-advisor-white-tells-congress), investing $96 million toward cleaner vehicle technologies (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-96-million-advancing-clean-vehicle-technologies-reduce-carbon-emissions), supporting 146 programs under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative focused on disadvantaged communities (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-more-140-programs-supporting-president-bidens-justice40-initiative), advancing groundwater remediation techniques (https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/srs-tackles-groundwater-issue-using-innovative-passive-energy-process), and inviting global collaboration on clean energy transitions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sebmi2QGbV4).
The talks between Secretary Wright and Interim President Rodriguez signal ongoing interest from both nations in deepening economic ties while addressing mutual challenges.
