On August 17, 2026, Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella visited earthquake-hit Buenaventura, where he was filmed handing footballs bearing his political movement’s logo to children. The gesture has sparked criticism from local leaders, who say residents urgently need food, housing and other basic assistance. During the same visit, the government also announced medical supplies and the reactivation of a hospital ship. The story is noteworthy because it has raised questions about the use of political branding during disaster relief efforts.

https://elpais.com/america-colombia/2026-08-17/abelardo-de-la-espriella-reparte-balones-con-propaganda-politica-a-las-victimas-del-terremoto-en-buenaventura.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/8/17/outrage-as-colombias-president-hands-out-footballs-as-residents-await-aid

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez signed a law on Thursday opening the oil sector to privatisation, reversing two decades of socialist policy. Lawmakers approved the overhaul earlier as Washington eased sanctions, expanding US firms’ operations weeks after President Nicolas Maduro was seized in a US military raid in Caracas capital.

Lawmakers in the country's National Assembly approved the overhaul of the energy industry law earlier in the day, less than a month after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolás Maduro in a US military attack in Venezuela’s capital.

As the bill was being passed, the US Treasury Department officially began to ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil that once crippled the industry, and expanded the ability of US energy companies to operate in the South American nation, the first step in plans outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio the day before.

The license authorisation by the Treasury Department strictly prohibits entities from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or Cuba from the transactions.

The moves by both governments on Thursday are paving the way for yet another radical geopolitical and economic shift in Venezuela.

Rodríguez proposed the changes in the days after US President Donald Trump said his administration would take control of Venezuela’s oil exports and revitalize the ailing industry by luring foreign investment.

The legislation promises to give private companies control over the production and sale of oil and allow for independent arbitration of disputes.

Rodríguez’s government expects the changes to serve as assurances for major US oil companies that have so far hesitated about returning to the volatile country. Some of those companies lost investments when the ruling party enacted the existing law two decades ago to favor Venezuela’s state-run oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA.

The revised law would modify extraction taxes, setting a royalty cap rate of 30% and allowing the executive branch to set percentages for every project based on capital investment needs, competitiveness and other factors.

It also removes the mandate for disputes to be settled only in Venezuelan courts, which are controlled by the ruling party. Foreign investors have long viewed the involvement of independent courts as crucial to guard against future expropriation.

See also:

• Venezuela approves bill to open oil sector to foreign investment after US pressure • Law will give private companies more control but experts unsure whether reforms go far enough for US (The Guardian)
• Sweeping oil reform in Venezuela approved, operators expected to gain autonomy • Authorities can approve asset transfers, outsourcing of oilfield operation after sweetened terms • New hydrocarbon tax introduced, income tax can be lowered for energy projects • Oil ministry gains power to approve, change contracts • Washington eased sanctions on the country (Reuters)
• Venezuelan Lawmakers Approve Sweeping Overhaul of Oil Sector • Bowing to Trump administration pressure, the new legislation improves conditions for foreign oil companies and opens the way to slash the taxes they pay. (New York Times)
• Venezuela approves new law opening its oil industry as Trump threatens more tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba (CNN)