President Donald Trump, in an interview with the New York Times on Thursday, mentioned that the United States may have control over Venezuela and its oil revenue for an extended period. He stated that the duration of U.S. oversight in Venezuela is uncertain, but he indicated that it could be longer than initially anticipated. Trump expressed intentions to reconstruct Venezuela’s oil industry in a profitable manner, emphasizing the utilization of oil resources to benefit Venezuela economically.
Following the deployment of troops to apprehend President Nicolás Maduro in a clandestine operation, Trump revealed plans to refine and market approximately 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that had been inaccessible due to a U.S. blockade. Trump acknowledged positive relations with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, highlighting ongoing communication with her administration. Despite refraining from commenting on interactions with Rodríguez, Trump mentioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s frequent discussions with her.
Concerning Venezuela’s opposition, Trump avoided addressing inquiries about the lack of support for conservative politicians and the legitimacy of past election outcomes. The U.S. Senate recently advanced a resolution limiting Trump’s authority to engage in military operations against Venezuela without congressional approval, marking a notable bipartisan stance on the issue. The resolution, if passed, would require significant support across both legislative chambers to override a potential presidential veto.
The U.S. administration aims to influence Venezuela’s oil sector without direct military intervention, focusing on enhancing oil production to aid the country’s economic recovery. Notably, senior officials stressed the necessity of managing Venezuela’s oil revenues persistently to facilitate industry revitalization. Scheduled discussions between Trump and major oil company executives at the White House aim to explore strategies for enhancing Venezuela’s oil output and economic stability.
Amid ongoing efforts to address Venezuela’s economic challenges, the U.S. government remains committed to supporting the country’s oil industry recovery through strategic partnerships with leading oil corporations. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted the collaborative role of major oil companies in advancing Venezuela’s oil sector revitalization, emphasizing a gradual approach to investment and infrastructure development in the region.