Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez has signed oil agreements with global energy firm Shell, state television reported on Thursday, though the broadcasts gave no specific details on the content of those accords.
Footage shown on the state channel VTV presented Rodríguez in a meeting with several suit-clad figures, including U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is visiting Venezuela. The images on VTV were silent; no additional commentary or documentation of the contracts was provided during the broadcast.
Shell did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the reporting. A separate state outlet with a military focus, TV FANB, posted on Telegram to characterize the event as a decisive move for the country’s energy industry.
"In a decisive step toward strengthening our industry, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led the signing of important agreements with international oil company Shell," TV FANB said. "This strategic alliance reaffirms that Venezuela continues to be a safe and reliable destination for foreign investment, driving the development of the hydrocarbons sector and the nation’s economic stability."
Burgum, who also heads the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, praised Rodríguez’s efforts to open Venezuela to foreign investment in oil and mineral sectors, mirroring public commendation from U.S. President Donald Trump, the report said.
The visit by Burgum marks the second appearance by a U.S. cabinet-level official in Caracas since a January U.S. raid that captured President Nicolas Maduro. Earlier this year, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Venezuela in February.
Venezuela’s legislature passed a broad oil reform in January that, according to the report, reduced tax burdens, increased the oil ministry’s authority over decisions, and granted private producers greater autonomy. Those measures were described as part of a package intended to attract investment into the country’s hydrocarbon industry.
Despite the televised signing and government praise, concrete details about the agreements with Shell have not been disclosed publicly. The lack of immediate comment from the company leaves the terms, timeline and operational implications unclear in the near term.