US Secretary of Energy: “Plans in Venezuela remain on track”

WRIGHT DISMISSES IMPACT FOLLOWING TRAGIC EARTHQUAKES

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

The United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, described the recent series of powerful earthquakes that struck northwestern Venezuela as an “absolute human tragedy,” while confirming that the impact on the nation’s oil infrastructure has been minimal, ensuring that American plans to reactivate the industry remain fully in effect.

During an event hosted by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) in Colorado, Wright—who in March 2026 became the second highest-ranking US official to visit Venezuela following the capture and expulsion of Nicolás Maduro—detailed that Washington maintains direct lines of communication with the newly established interim authorities of the South American nation.

“I have been in communication with Venezuela’s leadership since three hours after the earthquake struck,” Wright stated in an exclusive interview. “There is a significant amount of American aid being mobilized down there to assist in recovery efforts and the rescue of people who are still missing, whom we hope to find”.

No Definitive Impact on Crude Production

When asked whether the catastrophe would force modifications to the stimulus plans for crude oil production in Venezuela—an area under the direct oversight of the Secretary of Energy himself—Wright qualified that while it is still too early for a final assessment given how recent the event is, initial reports are highly favorable for economic reactivation.

“Fortunately, there was very little impact on the ability to produce oil in Venezuela. That’s helpful,” the official stated. “Energy production is the most important part of the Venezuelan economy. That’s a huge economic driver for the rebuilding of that country, for the creation of jobs, and for everyone in the country itself”.

The secretary emphasized that the US administration’s focus remains steadfast: “We remain very focused on how to make Venezuela a better place for Venezuelans, for neighbors in the hemisphere, and also for the benefit of the United States”.

Context of a Developing Devastation

The official’s statements coincide with a high-stakes race against time in the Caribbean nation. Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 recorded last Wednesday devastated the northern state of La Guaira and neighboring coastal communities, leaving an official toll so far of 1,450 dead and thousands missing.

The United Nations (UN) has warned that up to 6.8 million people could be affected by the disaster. The interim government, led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, faces harsh criticism from the civil population over the slowness of the operational response in a country already mired in more than a decade of deep economic crisis.

Although the critical 72-hour window has already expired, international rescue missions—including specialist crews from the United States and France—continue to recover survivors from among more than 770 collapsed structures, maintaining a vital thread of hope amid the national mourning.