US-Venezuela Oil Deal Sparks Controversy Over Legitimacy and Figures

A high-profile agreement between the US and Venezuela has been announced, with Washington claiming that it will double its own oil reserves through a deal worth $209 billion. However, experts are questioning the legitimacy of the interim government in Venezuela and the figures involved in the deal.

Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt López is at the center of the deal, leading his company North American Blue Energy Partners as the second-largest private oil producer in Venezuela. He has been the subject of investigations in Switzerland and Spain, raising concerns about his role in the high-profile intergovernmental transaction.

The agreement involves 17 Venezuelan oil fields with a reserve potential of approximately 65 billion barrels. However, experts point out that this figure is based on optimistic assumptions and lacks independent verification. Additionally, the deal has been criticized for its lack of transparency and the involvement of private interests in a government contract.

The US government's announcement comes at a time when American gasoline prices have been under pressure due to ongoing conflicts and sanctions. However, experts warn that the promised benefits of the deal may be exaggerated, as Venezuelan oil is extra-heavy and requires specialized facilities for processing, which are limited in number along the Gulf Coast.