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Chris Wright: “We removed a criminal, a destructive criminal for the United…”

Featuring: Chris Wright, Republican | Secretary of Energy | National

Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start'

Published February 12, 2026 | Video Starts at 14:10

Does it send a message that oil and rebuilding the energy infrastructure is the key priority? Oh, I think it absolutely sends a message that oil is tied here and it is. We removed a criminal, a destructive criminal for the United States of America. And because their major source of money is selling oil, gold and drugs, we want to stop the sale and trafficking of drugs through Venezuela. (14:10–14:16)

CLAIM

Asserts that a criminal was removed from power in Venezuela by the United States.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Chris Wright

“Eight million people have fled Venezuela.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 01:24-01:28
“It's the first time in history millions of people have migrated away from a low income country into lower income countries.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 01:28-01:37
“The United States is by far and away the largest producer of oil in the world. In fact, we produce today more than Russia and Saudi Arabia…”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 12:56-13:07
“President Biden raised the bounty on [Nicolas Maduro's] head to $25 million. President Trump raised it to $50 million.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 13:25-13:32
“Venezuela has been spiraling downhill for 25 years.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 00:26-00:30
“No American troops here, no taxpayer dollars being spent.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 00:54-00:59
“A lot of the criminal elements were sent intentionally to the United States.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 01:40-01:46
“The largest revenue source for the...government of Venezuela is now controlled by the United States.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 02:40-02:49
“The oil sales, all of that money is returning to Venezuela.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 03:57-04:02
“Hundreds of political prisoners have been released.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 04:35-04:38
“There's a free press again here, as demonstrated by our talk right here in Caracas.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 04:37-04:42
“We have auditors over the money when it comes into Venezuela, to where it goes.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 04:47-04:53
“Delsey Rodriguez...already changing the hydrocarbon law in the country in the first few weeks.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 05:57-06:05
“I made a very simple decision to engage the two largest oil traders in the world who also could move quickly.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 06:46-06:55
“We sold that oil and we returned those funds to Venezuela.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 08:06-08:10
“We're rolling back sanctions in specific areas. But that, that's happening as we speak today.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 09:28-09:33
“An account was set up in Qatar controlled by the US Government the whole time to land that money in and then send the money from there down…”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 10:36-10:46
“Yes, they will. They will not be rebuilding the energy infrastructure in Venezuela.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 11:12-11:17
“Sales today are over $1 billion. And in fact, we have sort of short term agreements over the next few months that will bring in another $5…”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 12:11-12:20
“We want them actually to sell more oil because that drives down prices for Americans in the world.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 14:26-14:31
“We're using oil as the biggest export of Venezuela, as a way to control and steer Venezuela into a positive direction.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 14:34-14:43
“We're not really in Venezuela, except opening up a small embassy.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 15:16-15:20
“We will continue to control the sale of their oils and the flow of their funds until a representative government is stood up in Venezuela.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 15:26-15:36
“Yes, I think that's quite likely the outcome [that there could be elections in Venezuela before the end of the second Trump administration].”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:09-16:14
“By the time this administration leaves, oil production will be up 50 to 100%.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:13-16:18
“Natural gas production will probably be at least doubled.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:18-16:22
“Venezuelans will get electricity not just a few hours a day, but most hours of the day.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:21-16:27
“You'll see millions of Venezuelans returning to this country.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 16:28-16:32
“Chevron is in the midst of large expansion plans down here.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 17:03-17:07
“The security situation in Venezuela today is just dramatically different from what it was two months ago.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 17:43-17:50
“Darren and Exxon are invest[ing]. They're in engagement, they're in discussions with the Venezuelan government.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 18:38-18:44
“Lots of American companies and other international companies will be investing in Venezuela this year.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 19:20-19:26
“President Trump wants to drive peace and prosperity and he's willing to take a risk to do it.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 19:41-19:47
“Venezuela had a long history of democratic elections, representative government, alliance with the United States.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 20:47-20:54
“In a society that hasn't had a free and fair election in quite some time. It held elections but they weren't free and they weren't fair.”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 21:08-21:16
“It probably takes nine to 10 months to get [to elections in Venezuela].”
Full Interview: Energy Sec. Wright says cooperation with Venezuela 'off to a tremendous start' | Uploaded February 12, 2026 | 22:10-22:13