The Minister of Defense of Venezuela, General Gustavo González, has supported this Wednesday the agreement reached between Caracas and Washington by which the United States will assume control of a part of the country's crude oil reserves, emphasizing that the goal is to move towards peace and not a "subordination."
"Transforming a political difference into an agreement for economic cooperation is only a decision to go to peace, it is not a subordination," the high military command has stated, after his usual meeting with the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, following the signing of the pact with the United States, which will have a total duration of 25 years and through which a part of the natural resources will remain in American hands.
The general has thus expressed the full support of the Venezuelan Armed Forces for the agreement sealed with Washington, which is framed within an energy development program. "We completely agree, we support all the actions that our commander in Venezuela has deemed appropriate to achieve the prosperity and well-being that we will see soon in the country," he has stated.
From the Government of Caracas, it has been insisted that the agreement "will maintain sovereignty over its resources" and will generate estimated revenues of around 200 billion euros. The bilateral understanding —by which the United States obtains "majority control" of one-fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves— aims to boost energy development through investments in various sectors.
The Defense chief has reiterated that the Armed Forces do not perceive risks to national sovereignty, nor actions contrary to peace nor conflict hotspots within the territory, emphasizing that the agreement contributes to stability and the protection of the country's strategic infrastructures.
According to the general's conclusion, this instrument opens the door to the arrival of foreign capital, which will allow the creation of new jobs and raise production levels in the Venezuelan economy.