The United States has announced its intention to oversee Venezuela’s oil industry indefinitely without specifying a timeline for its control duration. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the U.S. plans to maintain significant authority over Venezuela’s oil production and sales for the foreseeable future. This decision was revealed during a conference near Miami where Mr. Wright confirmed the U.S. would manage the sale of Venezuelan oil output in the global market.
In line with this strategy, President Donald Trump mentioned that Venezuela would transfer large quantities of oil to the United States. The White House is set to host a meeting with U.S. oil company executives to discuss Venezuela, focusing on encouraging American investment in the struggling Venezuelan oil sector. Notable companies such as Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are expected to participate in the upcoming meeting.
Recent developments include reports from Caracas indicating that 24 Venezuelan security personnel lost their lives in a covert U.S. military operation aimed at apprehending President Nicolás Maduro for drug-related charges. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has faced pressure from Trump to align Venezuela with U.S. interests, particularly by granting access to American energy firms, warning of consequences similar to Maduro’s fate if she fails to comply.
In a separate incident, a Venezuela-associated oil tanker, the Marinera, was intercepted by U.S. forces in British waters. This vessel, previously known as Bella-1 and flying a Russian flag, was apprehended as it navigated through waters near Scotland, evading Trump’s naval blockade imposed in December. Following the seizure, American law enforcement officers, supported by the U.S. armed forces, boarded the tanker without any reported gunfire incidents.
The U.S. European Command confirmed that the tanker’s capture in the North Atlantic was carried out under a U.S. federal court warrant after tracking by USCGC Munro. The seizure was in alignment with President Trump’s Proclamation targeting vessels under sanctions posing threats to the Western Hemisphere’s security and stability.
U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized on social media the continued enforcement of the blockade against unauthorized Venezuelan oil shipments worldwide.