The first ship carrying natural gas for export to Venezuela will set sail in a few hours.

Interim President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez announced on national television that the country's first shipment of natural gas for export will depart in a matter of hours. The vessel is already docked at a port in Venezuela. Rodriguez confirmed that she had spoken earlier on Thursday with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. She stated, "Important steps are being taken," referring to the opening of airspace. Venezuela is currently hosting negotiations with several multinational oil companies; Rodriguez mentioned that today a company from Indonesia was present. Rodriguez welcomed the unanimous approval of the hydrocarbon law reform. She stated, "This law allows us to achieve a true qualitative leap of historic significance, transforming these oil reserves - the largest on earth - into the greatest happiness on earth, and the people of Venezuela are the rightful owners of this happiness."