US-Venezuela Oil Deal Scrutiny: A U.S. lawmaker is pressing Trump to disclose whether he or allies could profit from the Venezuela oil agreement, after the White House described a 35% stake tied to North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) and 100-year rights to 17 fields. Deal Structure Details: A U.S. official says the Pentagon’s 35% is protected via “penny warrants” to prevent dilution as NABEP raises capital—an anti-dilution setup aimed at preserving U.S. control. China Debt at Risk: China’s state lenders still hold about $10B in claims, and officials say it’s unclear how new oil revenue will affect repayment. Energy Output Push: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez met oil workers, stressing production targets and warning of sabotage, while PDVSA leadership highlighted recovered refining capacity and ongoing workforce support. New Investment in Orinoco Belt: GeoPark (Gilinski Group) signed a 25-year Orinoco Belt alliance with PDVSA to boost recovery in the Bare field, with private funding for up to 95,000 bpd potential. Earthquake Recovery Contract: Venezuela signed with Miyamoto International to remove 3 million tons of debris and strengthen seismic risk management—linking engineering capacity to industrial recovery. Inflation Update: Venezuela reported August inflation at 8.9% month-on-month, down sharply from July, citing improved distribution and less FX pressure. Regional Diplomacy Watch: Trinidad and Tobago’s industry chamber welcomed renewed dialogue with Venezuela, but opposition voices questioned whether the trip delivered tangible energy gains.