Venezuela Plans Full Oil Industry Privatization; $150B Investment Needed

María Corina Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader, has proposed total privatization of the country's oil sector, aiming to attract $150 billion in investments over the next decade. Current production stands at approximately 1 million barrels per day (bpd), though the country has the potential to exceed 5 million bpd with significant investment. Machado criticized state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), stating it has become a 'criminal organization.' She indicated that establishing conditions for free elections may take at least nine months. The proposal is crucial as U.S. companies like ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil remain skeptical of investing under current political conditions since their assets were seized in 2007.