Venezuela signs oil, gas deals with Suriname

AFP | Paramaribo

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Venezuela’s interim leader yesterday signed several cooperation agreements including one to provide training for Suriname’s oil and gas industry professionals during a visit to Paramaribo.

Delcy Rodriguez and Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons signed a series of accords in the Dutch-speaking country’s capital, signalling a new era of rapprochement.

Rodriguez hailed the “very important” agreements after Suriname, a country of 600,000 people, recently announced the discovery of major oil and gas deposits.

“We are making Venezuela’s experience in oil and gas exploration and production available... in order to provide training to Suriname’s industry,” she said.

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and is looking to exploit these natural resources following the US ouster of president Nicolas Maduro in January.

Rodriguez, Maduro’s one-time vice president who took his place, has effectively governed under Washington’s thumb since Maduro’s capture.

Venezuela has increased oil production by almost 30 percent and recently signed an enormous deal granting Washington access to over $5 billion barrels -- almost one-fifth -- of its reserves.

Rodriguez and Geerlings-Simons also agreed to reopen bilateral air routes and allow 200 Venezuelan fishermen to operate in the Atlantic corridor with Suriname.