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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Via AP news wire

Venezuelan lawmakers approve easing state control of oil industry

Venezuela Oil - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Venezuela’s legislature on Thursday approved opening the nation’s oil sector to privatization, reversing a tenet of the self-proclaimed socialist movement that has ruled the country for more than two decades.

The National Assembly approved the overhaul of the energy industry law less than a month after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military attack in Venezuela’s capital.

The bill now awaits the signature of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who proposed the changes in the days after U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration would take control of the Venezuela’s oil exports and revitalize the ailing industry by luring foreign investment.

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Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

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