"Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez demanded an end to the economic blockade imposed by the US against her country on Friday during her meeting with leading figures from the country's oil sector in Caracas. "In 2025, taken together, they had an investment of practically more than 900 million dollars, in a context, I repeat, of a blocked economy. And here there was both national and international investment," Rodriguez said. "The investment that has been made in Venezuela in the hydrocarbons industry must be respected." Rodriguez thanked US President Donald Trump for "his expressions of respect toward my person and toward the Government of Venezuela," but reiterated Caracas’s demand. "We told him, look, Mr President, end the blockade against Venezuela now, no more sanctions against Venezuela," she said. "The business sector has also been a victim of the blockade," she added. Rodriguez also outlined Caracas's intention to pursue a bilateral energy agenda with the United States that she characterised as respectful, cooperative and grounded in effective collaboration. The demand follows Trump's announcement during Tuesday's State of the Union address that Washington has received 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. The US has recognised an interim government led by Rodriguez and has eased numerous sanctions, permitting American oil firms, including Chevron and ExxonMobil, to resume operations in the country."