25Length of the new Baré block oil contract · PDVSA and the Gilinski Group, through GeoPark, signed the deal on September 4 for that Orinoco Belt block, according to Infobae.
+368%Mentions of 'petróleo / Chevron' on state TV · In the 7 days through September 5, versus its January-July 2026 average.
-66%Mentions of Diosdado Cabello on state TV · In the 7 days through September 5, versus its January-July 2026 average.
On September 4, interim president Delcy Rodríguez presided in Miraflores over the signing of a hydrocarbons production-sharing contract between PDVSA and Beta Resources, part of the Gilinski Group, to operate the Baré block in the Orinoco Belt for 25 years, Infobae reported.
Jaime Gilinski, GeoPark's main shareholder, said the alliance reflects confidence in the country's oil future and that they are arriving as partners, not cautious observers. That same day, Rodríguez separately met with oil workers to speak about the effort behind the industry.
«We firmly believe in Venezuela. We believe in the recovery capacity of its oil industry, in the talent of its professionals, and in the historic moment that is now opening for the country.»— Jaime Gilinski, September 4, 2026 · watch
«Venezuela's hydrocarbons industry has been forged through sacrifice.»— Delcy Rodríguez, September 4, 2026 · watch
Story 2 of 3
According to opposition analyst David Placeres, negotiations between Donald Trump's administration and María Corina Machado concluded that the opposition leader will be allowed into Venezuela in the coming days, but without the United States providing security guarantees or a deployment to protect her.
Machado has twice already come close to entering Venezuela, even boarding a plane, and both times Washington asked her not to go through with it because the oil contracts with the US were not yet closed, according to Placeres.
«The decision has already been made… María Corina Machado will be allowed to enter, but without guarantees.»— David Placeres, September 5, 2026 · watch
Story 3 of 3
Florida Republican congressman Mario Díaz-Balart said, in an interview with opposition figure David Placeres, that President Donald Trump backs interim president Delcy Rodríguez only as long as she does what Washington demands of her in Venezuela's transition.
Díaz-Balart recalled that Trump also once said he had very good conversations with Nicolás Maduro before he was detained, and warned Rodríguez should not forget that as she moves ahead with Washington's plan.
«He's happy with Delcy as long as Delcy does what the United States demands of her.»— Mario Díaz-Balart, September 4, 2026 · watch
«President Trump also said he had very good conversations with Maduro… right before he was seized and is now in prison.»— Mario Díaz-Balart, September 4, 2026 · watch
