Venezuela's Oil Production Rises To 7.5-year High - Interim President

MEXICO CITY, August 25 (NNN-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Venezuela's oil production topped 1.23 million barrels per day, the highest level since February 2019, the country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"In the midst of the emergency, our oil production has not stopped. Today, it exceeds 1,230,000 barrels per day, the highest level since February 2019," Rodriguez said in an address to the nation broadcast on state television.

On June 24, two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela within 39 seconds of each other.

The most severe damage occurred in La Guaira state and Caracas. The country's authorities declared a state of emergency and launched a large-scale recovery programme.

Since January, Venezuela has signed 50 strategic agreements in the oil and gas sector, providing for new investments in more than 76 production sites, she said.

"We have signed 50 strategic agreements in the oil and gas sector, which will bring new investments to more than 76 oil and gas production sites in the country." 

Citing ECLAC (United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean), the head of state said that the country's economy could grow by 6.5 per cent in 2026, which would be the highest rate in the region.

"These are important figures, but they are far from the final goal, as much remains to be done to restore the economy, which has been seriously damaged by sanctions," Rodriguez noted.

--NNN-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI