US Claims It Will Dictate Venezuela’s Future And Control Oil Sales

US Claims Sweeping Control Over Venezuela

The United States has made one of its boldest foreign policy declarations in decades, openly stating that it intends to dictate political decisions in Venezuela and control the country’s oil sales for the foreseeable future.

Speaking after the dramatic removal of former president Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump said Washington would effectively “run” the oil-rich South American nation and benefit directly from its vast petroleum reserves.

The comments mark a sharp escalation in US involvement in Venezuela and have already sparked outrage in Caracas.

A Power Shift After Maduro’s Removal

US officials confirmed that American special forces captured Maduro and his wife during a rapid operation over the weekend, flying them to New York to face charges related to drugs and weapons.

Following the operation, the White House said it now holds “maximum leverage” over Venezuela’s interim authorities. According to the administration, future decisions by the transitional leadership will be dictated by Washington.

Trump later told the New York Times that US influence over Venezuela would last far longer than a few months, suggesting a prolonged period of American oversight.

Oil At The Centre Of Washington’s Strategy

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and energy has become the cornerstone of the US approach.

Trump said Venezuela has agreed to hand over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, which Washington would then sell. Profits from those sales would be used by Venezuela to buy only American-made products, including agricultural goods, medical equipment, machinery and energy infrastructure.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright went even further, saying the United States plans to market Venezuelan crude indefinitely, starting with oil already in storage and continuing with future production.

Interim Leaders Push Back

Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has rejected claims that the country is being governed by a foreign power, insisting that Caracas remains sovereign.

She described the US intervention as a historic rupture in relations and said the operation that removed Maduro left at least 100 people dead and many more injured, including the former president and his wife.

Cuban officials have also said that dozens of Cuban military personnel were killed during the raid. Maduro, like former leader Hugo Chavez, relied heavily on Cuban security support.

No Boots On The Ground, But Heavy Pressure

Despite its strong language, Washington says it does not currently have troops stationed in Venezuela. Instead, it is relying on naval blockades, control of oil exports and the threat of further force to ensure cooperation.

The US has already seized oil tankers linked to Venezuela, including one vessel with Russian ties. Moscow condemned the seizure, but the White House defended the move, saying the tanker had been operating under a false flag.

Unclear Long-Term Plan

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged concerns from lawmakers about what comes next, but insisted the administration is not improvising.

He said the plan includes a second phase in which US and Western companies would gain access to the Venezuelan market while efforts begin toward national reconciliation.

Trump is expected to meet US oil executives in the coming days to discuss investment in Venezuela’s struggling energy infrastructure, even as instability continues on the ground.

A New Era For Venezuela And The Region

The US declaration that it will dictate Venezuela’s decisions and control its oil sales indefinitely signals a major shift in how Washington views its role in Latin America.

For Venezuela, it raises profound questions about sovereignty, recovery and who ultimately benefits from its natural wealth. For the wider region, it sets a precedent that is likely to shape geopolitical tensions for years to come.

{Source:EWN}

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