Within the framework of the presentation of the 2025 Annual Report to the National Assembly, the Acting President of the Republic, Delcy Rodríguez, announced this Wednesday the submission of a draft partial reform of the Organic Hydrocarbons Law. The initiative seeks to incorporate and protect within this law the productive models foreseen in the Anti-Blockade Law, in order to attract investments to new oil fields, including areas where historically has not been developed any infrastructure or exploratory activity.
“I have presented the draft partial reform of the Organic Hydrocarbons Law so that the productive models of the Anti-Blockade Law are protected within our oil law. This will allow us to channel investments towards new fields, even in those where there has never been investment and where no infrastructure exists. I request to this sovereign legislative body, presided over by Deputy Jorge Rodríguez, and all the honorable deputies, for its approval”, she expressed from the parliamentary chamber during the 2026 Annual Address to the Nation.
During her speech, the Acting President contrasted the Bolivarian sovereignty model with the colonial submission of past administrations. She denounced that previous governments acted under the recommendations of foreign powers that demanded submissive rulers, displacing the anti-colonial ideal of Simón Bolívar.
In energy matters, Rodríguez stressed the historical differences: “Whereas before resources were handed over, today, under the leadership of President Nicolás Maduro, we defend oil for the exclusive benefit of the Venezuelan people.” She reaffirmed that the true nationalization of the oil industry was the work of Commander Hugo Chávez, who rescued the resource from foreign hands. In this regard, she described the 1976 nationalization as “lacking”, as it was based on marketing contracts and technological dependence that primarily benefited transnational corporations.
The Acting President affirmed that this policy of sovereign defense is being continued by President Maduro, ensuring that the exploitation of resources serves national development. Finally, she attributed the growth in oil production to this model and to the joint effort: “Thanks to this framework and the work of national and international investors and PDVSA workers, Venezuela has reached a production of 1,200,000 barrels per day.”
