Venezuela today

White House details oil deal: Alejandro Betancourt's NABEP, 17 fields for 100 years and a 35% Pentagon stake

According to NPR, the White House said NABEP, owned by Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, will hold 100-year rights to 17 fields with 65 billion barrels of proven reserves. The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital will own 35% of the company and the U.S. may buy 20% of output. Senator Jack Reed called it an abuse of power.

On VTV, a guest praised the deal, and acting president Delcy Rodríguez estimated revenue of more than $209 billion, the channel said. Mario Silva called it a humiliation before the U.S. On Vladimir Villegas's show, Humberto Calderón Berti proposed putting the deal to a referendum; Patricia Poleo criticized Betancourt's role.

«We are the most oil-rich country in the world, yes, but now we have to be the world's biggest oil exporter.»— VTV guest, September 1, 2026 · watch

«Not even Gómez gave himself up so much, humiliated himself so much and knelt so much before the United States.»— Mario Silva, September 1, 2026 · watch

National Assembly unanimously passes Supreme Court law reform, restarting the renewal of justices

According to Infobae, the National Assembly unanimously passed a partial reform of the Supreme Court (TSJ) law. The nominating committee grows from 21 to 23 members, 11 lawmakers and 12 from civil society, and will run the renewal of all justices. It was part of the August 12 dialogue agreement between the ruling party and the opposition.

Pedro Infante, the Assembly's first vice president, said the reform restarts the process, Infobae reported. On VPItv, an analyst said Washington is watching the appointments because U.S. oil companies demand legal certainty. The same channel cited Foro Penal: 328 political prisoners after the August releases.

«I see a real interest on the part of the U.S. government in taking part in, and watching over, this appointment of the Supreme Court…»— Analyst on VPItv, September 1, 2026 · watch