The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will exercise decisive authority over Venezuela’s interim leadership and take long-term control of the country’s oil sales following the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.
According to Washington, US influence over Caracas will not be temporary. Instead, it will extend indefinitely, particularly in decisions related to governance and the management of Venezuela’s vast oil resources. This declaration comes despite statements from interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, who has insisted that no foreign power is governing the country.
The situation escalated dramatically over the weekend when US special forces carried out a swift operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife. The pair were transported to New York to face drug-related charges, an action that the Trump administration has framed as part of a broader strategy asserting US dominance in the Western Hemisphere, referred to by Trump as the “Donroe Doctrine.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the United States now holds maximum leverage over Venezuela’s interim authorities. She confirmed that Washington remains in close coordination with them and that their decisions will continue to be directed by the US government.
Trump has openly said that the United States will effectively “run” Venezuela, a country home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves. While there are no US troops stationed on Venezuelan soil, Washington is relying on naval pressure, economic control, and the threat of further action to secure compliance from the interim government.
The administration has provided limited clarity on its long-term roadmap. It has signaled support for Rodriguez while sidelining other opposition figures, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pushed back against criticism, insisting that the US is not improvising its strategy, even as concerns grow about the lack of transparency.
Central to the plan is an agreement under which Venezuela would hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States for resale. Trump has stated that revenue generated from these sales would be used exclusively to purchase American-made products, including agricultural goods, machinery, medical equipment, and energy technology.
In what officials describe as a later recovery phase, US and Western companies would gain access to the Venezuelan market while supporting a national reconciliation process. Venezuela’s state oil company has acknowledged ongoing discussions with the United States regarding oil sales under existing commercial frameworks.
However, US officials suggest the arrangement goes far beyond short-term cooperation. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the US intends to market Venezuelan crude oil indefinitely, starting with stored reserves and continuing with future production.
Trump is expected to meet with executives from major US oil companies to discuss potential investments in Venezuela’s deteriorating energy infrastructure, though no firm commitments have been announced so far.
The US further reinforced its position by seizing two oil tankers, including one linked to Russian interests. While Moscow condemned the move, the White House maintained that the vessel was operating without valid national registration.
At its core, this unfolding chapter is not just about oil or politics. It reflects a moment where power, resources, and sovereignty collide, leaving ordinary Venezuelans watching their country’s future being negotiated far beyond their borders. As global reactions continue to ripple outward, the human cost, economic uncertainty, and long-term consequences of this control remain deeply uncertain, reminding the world that behind every geopolitical decision are millions of lives waiting for stability, dignity, and self-determination.
