Delcy Rodriguez and Venezuelan Oil Deal

Ted Cruz Says 'Significant Concerns' Over Venezuela Oil Deal

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is raising "significant concerns" about the Trump administration's massive new Venezuela oil agreement, warning that it should not legitimize acting President Delcy Rodríguez or delay free elections in the country.

Speaking on his latest "Verdict with Ted Cruz" podcast, Cruz said the agreement is a "big deal" and that giving U.S. interests access to an estimated 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil could ultimately benefit American jobs, the economy, and consumers. Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves.

But Cruz said the still-opaque arrangement also raises serious political and economic questions.

"This is a deal that was cut with Delcy Rodríguez, who is the interim president of Venezuela," Cruz said. "She was Nicolas Maduro's vice president. She is a communist. She is a Marxist. She has a long history of being viciously anti-American."

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