Many Venezuelans are criticizing President Trump's deal to take majority control of the country's vast oil reserves, calling it "a new form of U.S. colonialism." The agreement follows the January arrest of autocratic leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, but his successor, Delcy Rodríguez, remains in power. Despite $100 billion in promised U.S. investment and access to 65 billion barrels of oil, daily life remains dire with poverty, blackouts, and no election date set.

In Valencia, retired educator José Leal, 68, called the deal a "necessary evil," hoping U.S. pressure might force democratic change after 27 years of socialist rule under Hugo Chávez and Maduro. "Without them, we'll remain trapped like Cuba, China, or North Korea," he said. Others, like former PDVSA manager Dario Nava, 67, in Maracaibo, opposed the deal and doubted it would improve ordinary lives.

The move represents a stunning reversal for Rodríguez's Socialist Party, which once made sovereign control of oil — nationalized in the 1970s — a core ideological pillar. The party now claims the deal aligns with its "historic commitment to national sovereignty." Exiled Chávez loyalist Rafael Ramírez accused Rodríguez of opening doors to colonialism. Memes circulated mocking the exchange: "Take the oil and leave you with Chavismo." The state oil company PDVSA was jokingly rebranded PDUSA.