Venezuela’s opposition figure Maria Corina Machado ended her silence on Thursday by releasing a video statement opposing the recent oil agreement between the U.S. government and Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez. In her message, Machado expressed empathy with her fellow Venezuelans, acknowledging their feelings of sadness and anger over decisions being made without their consent.

The statement from Machado followed a day where both U.S. President Donald Trump and Rodriguez failed to provide a timeline for Venezuela’s return to democracy. Trump’s remarks praising the Rodriguez government were met with criticism as Rodriguez was not elected to her position.

Machado emphasized the need for democratic processes to be respected before any significant deals are made regarding Venezuela’s oil industry. She highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding the terms of the agreement, echoing the sentiments of many Venezuelans who are skeptical and disapprove of the deal.

The controversial oil deal has sparked discontent among Venezuelan Canadians, with concerns raised about the focus on oil over addressing political prisoners. The involvement of key figures like Harry Sargeant III and Alejandro Betancourt has further fueled criticism of the agreement’s legitimacy.

Critics have labeled the deal as “highly irregular” and have questioned the motives behind negotiating with an illegitimate government. The fear of potential colonization and the perceived influence of the Trump administration in maintaining the current regime in power have heightened tensions among Venezuelans.

As the opposition voices apprehensions about the implications of the deal, the future of Venezuela’s oil industry remains uncertain. The perceived lack of accountability and concerns over the prioritization of economic interests over democratic values have cast a shadow over the controversial agreement.

Moving forward, the Venezuelan opposition aims to challenge the legitimacy of the deal and advocate for the release of political prisoners to ensure transparency and uphold democratic principles. The evolving dynamics between Venezuela, the U.S., and key stakeholders in the oil industry continue to shape the narrative surrounding the contentious agreement.