Lead

Venezuela is prepared to cooperate with foreign investors in the energy sector on fair terms, Russian Ambassador to Venezuela Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov said in an interview with TASS. He indicated that recent legislative changes in Venezuela are intended to facilitate such cooperation.

Coverage Comparison

TASS reported Melik-Bagdasarov's remarks, framing them as a signal of openness from Caracas. In one article, the ambassador highlighted amendments to Venezuela's hydrocarbons law that expand opportunities for foreign investors, adding that Venezuelan leadership had declared its willingness to cooperate on equal terms before and after January 3.

In a separate report, he characterized recent US actions toward Venezuela as "aggression" driven by a desire to control oil supplies and influence global energy prices. The same report quoted him as linking US military actions against Iran to energy market volatility.

Key Claims

  • Venezuela is ready to cooperate with foreign investors in the energy sector on fair terms, according to the Russian ambassador.
  • Recent amendments to Venezuela's hydrocarbons law have expanded opportunities for foreign investors, as stated by the ambassador.
  • Russia continues collaboration with Venezuela in the energy sector, with five joint oil production ventures operating in the country, according to TASS.
  • The United States is exploiting the situation in Venezuela to gain control over oil supplies and influence global prices, as alleged by the Russian diplomat—a claim not independently verified.
  • American investors are reluctant to invest in Venezuela's fuel and energy sector without "political transit" guarantees, per the ambassador's remarks.