CARACAS, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Monday forecast a $1.4 billion bonanza from planned reforms to the oil sector aimed at drawing in foreign investors following the ouster of Nicolas Maduro. Rodriguez projected oil investments would rise 55 percent over 2025 after a bill ending decades of tight state control on the energy sector is adopted by parliament. Rodriguez was addressing a business audience as part of public consultations on plans to throw open the oil sector to private investment. The interim leader is under pressure from President Donald Trump to give US oil companies access to Venezuela's rich crude deposits. The hydrocarbons bill currently before the National Assembly stipulates that private companies located in Venezuela would be able to extract oil without having to enter a joint venture with the state oil company PDVSA, which insisted on a majority stake.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 27, 2026 09:19 UTC