Venezuela Defends Its Right to Expand Oil Industry at COP31

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez told the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, that her country has a <b>sovereign right to strengthen its oil industry</b>. She said energy development could coexist with environmental protection and described the industry as a driver of national development. Rodriguez’s remarks came as other conference leaders urged governments to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. They also aligned with United States efforts to raise billions of dollars to increase Venezuelan oil output. Venezuela is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Rodriguez said the country’s forests absorb more carbon than it emits.