Houston G20 Energy Summit Signals Western Hemisphere Shift

France 24 reports that Venezuela will participate in G20 energy meetings in Houston, Texas, alongside representatives from the world’s largest economies and major oil-producing countries. The talks are taking place as the war in the Middle East, referred to in the article as the US-Iran war, drives oil prices higher and disrupts global energy markets. European countries are also struggling to refill gas storage facilities before winter. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the meeting reflects an effort to shift the geopolitical center of oil production and supply away from the Middle East toward the Western Hemisphere. Venezuelan Oil Minister Paula Henao and Jovanny Martinez, vice president of state oil company PDVSA, are expected to attend. Burgum will represent the United States alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Delegations from China, India, Japan, Germany, Canada and Saudi Arabia are also expected. Venezuela’s participation follows a reported August 28 agreement under which the Trump administration gained majority control of Venezuela’s 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves. US officials said Washington and Caracas are deepening energy cooperation, expanding opportunities for American companies and pursuing further deals. President Donald Trump has promoted Venezuelan oil as a potential source of additional supply, although analysts warn that significantly increasing production could take years. The article highlights the domestic consequences of the energy crisis in the United States. Diesel prices have reached a record average of $6.20 per gallon, while regular gasoline is 44 percent more expensive than before the war. Rising costs and opposition to the war are creating political problems for Trump’s Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. Russia is also expected to send officials to the Houston meeting. Its participation has already caused friction among Ukraine’s European allies, who opposed the US decision to invite Moscow to G20 discussions despite efforts to exclude Russia because of its war against Ukraine.

A Venezuelan delegation is expected to participate in G20 energy meetings in Houston, Texas, after receiving an invitation from the United States. The talks are taking place as oil prices rise and global energy markets face disruption linked to the war in the Middle East. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the meeting reflects a possible shift in the geopolitical center of oil production and supply toward the Western Hemisphere. The meetings bring together representatives of major economies, including China, India, Japan and Germany, as well as major oil producers such as Canada and Saudi Arabia. Venezuela will reportedly be represented by Oil Minister Paula Henao and Jovanny Martinez, a vice president of state oil company PDVSA. Burgum will attend alongside US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Venezuela’s inclusion comes amid closer energy relations between the Trump administration and Caracas. The article says that an August 28 agreement gives the United States majority control of Venezuela’s 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves, while Washington and Venezuela pursue additional energy deals and opportunities for US companies. President Donald Trump has promoted Venezuelan oil as a way to increase supply, although analysts warn that significantly expanding production could take years. The energy crisis is already affecting US consumers. Diesel prices have reached a record average of $6.20 per gallon, while regular gasoline is 44 percent more expensive than before the war. The economic impact and political unpopularity of the conflict are creating concerns for Trump’s Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump has blamed Iran for prolonging the war and accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of contributing to fuel shortages by targeting Russian refineries. Russia may also send officials to the Houston meetings, prompting renewed tensions with Ukraine’s European allies, who oppose Moscow’s participation because of its war against Ukraine.

The United States has invited Venezuela to attend a G20 energy summit in Houston, signalling closer energy ties between Washington and Caracas as global fuel prices rise amid conflict in the Middle East. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the meetings, taking place through Sept 16, would bring together representatives of G20 economies and major oil producers, along with a Venezuelan delegation. Burgum said the summit reflected an effort to shift the geopolitical centre of oil away from the Middle East and toward the Western Hemisphere. Europe is also seeking to rebuild its gas reserves before winter as disruptions continue to affect global energy markets. Delegates are expected from China, India, Japan, Germany, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Venezuela’s representatives include Oil Minister Paula Henao and Jovanny Martinez, a vice-president of state oil company PDVSA. Burgum will represent the US alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Venezuela’s participation follows an Aug 28 agreement announced by US President Donald Trump’s administration that reportedly gives the US majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven petroleum reserves. The administration said the engagement would expand opportunities for US companies and lead to further energy deals. Trump has argued that Venezuelan oil could increase global supply, although analysts say it could take years for production to rise substantially. The summit is taking place as US fuel prices cause domestic political difficulties for Trump’s Republican Party. Diesel has reached a record average of US$6.20 a gallon, while regular petrol is 44 per cent more expensive than before the war. Trump has blamed Iran for prolonging the conflict and accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of contributing to diesel shortages through strikes on Russian refineries. Russia’s decision to send officials to the summit has also generated controversy. Ukraine’s European allies criticised Washington’s decision to invite Moscow, arguing that it undermined efforts to exclude Russia over its war against Ukraine.