Well, sadly, Venezuela remains a world apart from the global energy transition process. Currently, we don’t have any emissions reduction guidelines or policies in place. In fact, Venezuela hasn’t sent delegations to international climate summits since the carbon market talks in Marrakech, Morocco. The government’s strict focus has been on reviving the oil and gas industries. There has been no real progress in renewable energy legislation, although some laws are under review in the National Assembly. Venezuela possesses large deposits of minerals like copper and gold, particularly in the southern part of the country, but these resources haven’t been integrated into a broader energy transition strategy. When you compare us to other South American countries, it’s clear we lag far behind. For instance, Chile has been a leader in advancing renewable energy development and designing progressive policies in this area. Uruguay has also made significant progress.
How has the re-election of Donald Trump been received in Venezuela, considering its good relationships with both Russia and Iran?
I remain skeptical about the situation. There’s a renewed wave of optimism among the opposition in Venezuela, fueled by the belief that Trump’s new administration might approach things differently this time. However, I’m cautious about falling into the same trap of expecting drastic changes. Trump’s previous administration followed a policy of “all options are on the table, ” and his recent nominations, such as Marco Rubio, a staunch anti-Venezuelan and anti-Cuban senator, as Secretary of State, have raised expectations among the opposition. Many Venezuelans view this as a sign that Trump might take a harder stance on the Maduro government. On the government’s side, Maduro congratulated Trump and expressed hope for a reset in relations. Meanwhile, Venezuela has been bolstering its ties with allies like Russia and Iran. In recent weeks, joint commissions with both nations were held in Caracas, which typically happens annually.