United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Caracas on Wednesday to meet interim President Delcy Rodriguez, marking the first visit by a member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet to Venezuela. The meeting, held at the Miraflores presidential palace, was broadcast on Venezuelan state television. Wright praised the Venezuelan people and conveyed a message from Trump promising to transform US-Venezuela relations as part of a broader agenda to strengthen ties across the Americas. Wright pledged a dramatic increase in Venezuelan oil production and greater use of the country’s energy resources, promising prosperity and jobs through partnership with the United States.

The visit came amid controversy in Washington over Trump’s handling of Venezuelan oil assets. Following a US military operation that removed former President Nicolas Maduro, Trump claimed Venezuela’s petroleum resources rightfully belonged to the US and announced that 50 million barrels of oil had been turned over for sale under his control. Critics, including members of Congress, questioned the legality of the move and introduced the Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act to audit the proceeds. Despite the political backlash, Wright’s visit signaled renewed diplomatic engagement and potential economic cooperation between the two nations.