Venezuelans divided over Trump administration's oil agreement with interim government, poll reveals

A poll published by Bloomberg on Tuesday revealed that Venezuelans are sharply divided over the oil agreement negotiated between the Trump administration and Venezuela's interim authorities. Half of those surveyed believed the arrangement would benefit the United States more than Venezuela, highlighting significant public concern about the agreement's terms, despite the interim government's efforts to defend it as essential for economic recovery.

The poll followed an announcement that the US oil company Chevron and Italy's Eni had agreed to expand their oil production activities in Venezuela. This expansion occurred shortly after Washington and Caracas's interim leadership reached the broader oil arrangement, according to NPR and Al Jazeera. The expansion represents one of the most substantial developments in reopening Venezuela's oil sector to major international investment since the government change earlier this year.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed leadership following the US operation in January that resulted in Nicolas Maduro's capture, has repeatedly sought to reassure Venezuelans that the country maintains its sovereignty despite the significant US involvement in its oil sector. According to Al Jazeera, Rodriguez has stated that elections will occur only when Venezuela is "ready." This position has attracted criticism from observers who question the timeline for a return to full civilian, elected government.