The United States has asserted its dominance over Venezuela, with the Trump administration announcing that it will control the country’s oil sales “indefinitely” following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. US special forces captured Maduro and his wife on Saturday, and they are now facing trial in New York on drug charges. Despite Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodríguez’s claim that no foreign power is governing Caracas, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States has “maximum leverage” over the interim authorities and that their decisions will be dictated by Washington.
The plan calls for the United States to sell Venezuelan oil. Trump stated that the country will “run” Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Washington is relying on a naval blockade and the threat of further force rather than boots on the ground to ensure cooperation. According to Caracas, the US attack on Venezuela resulted in at least 100 deaths and a similar number of injuries, including Maduro, his wife, and 32 Cuban military personnel serving as bodyguards.
Details of the US strategy remain scarce, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the administration is “not just winging it.” The plan hinges on an agreement for Venezuela to hand over 30‑50 million barrels of oil to the United States, which will then be sold. Revenue from those sales is intended to finance Venezuelan purchases of American products such as agricultural goods, machinery, and energy equipment. Energy Secretary Chris Wright added that the United States will “market the crude coming out of Venezuela, first this backed‑up stored oil, and then indefinitely… we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela.”
Trump is scheduled to meet US oil executives on Friday to discuss investment opportunities in Venezuela’s oil industry, an effort seen as an attempt to tighten control over the country’s resources. In addition, the United States has seized two oil tankers, including a vessel linked to Russia, a move condemned by Moscow. The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with the international community watching closely as the United States asserts its dominance over the oil‑rich nation.
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