Trump Declares U.S. Will Run Venezuela for Years to Harness Its Oil Reserves

Breaking: U.S. Signals Long-Term Oversight Of Venezuela’s Oil As Maduro Regime Is Upended

In a development that could reshape Western Hemisphere energy and security policy, the United States has floated maintaining direct oversight of Venezuela’s oil wealth for an extended period, following a Caracas operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

U.S.Special Forces seized Maduro on January 3 in caracas and escorted him to New York to face federal charges. The White House framed the move as part of a broader strategy to bolster regional influence and protect national security interests. Authorities say the interim government is led by Delcy Rodríguez, who has stressed that no foreign power governs Venezuela, even as trade with Washington resumes and PDVSA explores crude sales to the United States.

Oil At The Core Of The Strategy

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, placing oil at the center of Washington’s leverage. The governance has floated selling tens of millions of barrels and channeling proceeds toward American-made goods,a plan that would also extend influence over PDVSA’s operations.

In Caracas, public opinion is split. Some residents argue U.S. control could yield opportunities, while others worry about sovereignty and daily life. Officials have signaled a potential role for U.S. investors, though opposition figures remain sidelined.

Key Figures And Questions

Vice President JD Vance has argued that economic levers offer the best path to influence, insisting the approach could minimize American casualties. He and other lawmakers have backed attempts to curb presidential war powers in Venezuela, which drew criticism from some allies who say the move risks weakening national defense.

Analysts note internal tensions within the Venezuelan leadership, especially among top interior and defense ministers, who could challenge Rodríguez if she becomes less useful to Washington. Regional allies, including Colombia, are weighing joint actions against illicit groups along the border, reflecting a broader regional security dynamic.

Fact Sheet

Fact	Details
Maduro status	Captive; transported to New York to face federal charges
Interim leader	Delcy Rodríguez
oil reserves	World’s largest proven reserves
US plan	Sell 30–50 million barrels; proceeds to fund US purchases; potential influence over PDVSA
Oil price target	Possible aim to lower around $50 per barrel
Legislation	Senate joint resolution to curb presidential action in Venezuela; mixed Republican support

As events unfold, the impact on Venezuelans and regional stability remains a central question. How future policy will affect prices, energy access, and sovereignty across the hemisphere is a topic for ongoing debate.

Readers: What is your assessment of a long-term U.S. role in Venezuela’s oil sector? Do you think regional stability justifies stronger economic leverage or risks prolonging conflict?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow this page for updates as events evolve.

produce.### Background: U.S.–Venezuela Oil Relations

• Venezuela’s proven reserves: Approximately 300 billion barrels of crude — the world’s largest single‑country oil reserve.
• Historical U.S. involvement: From the 1950s‑1970s “oil boom” to the 1990s‑2000s sanctions regime, Washington has repeatedly sought access to Venezuelan hydrocarbons.
• Sanctions timeline:

1. 2006‑2014 – Targeted sanctions on PDVSA officials.
2. 2015‑2020 – Full sector sanctions under the Counter‑Narco‑Trafficking sanctions Act (CNTA).
3. 2021‑2024 – Revocation of some humanitarian licenses but continuation of export bans.

Understanding this legacy clarifies why a declaration to “run Venezuela for years” immediately triggers legal, diplomatic, and logistical questions.

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Trump’s announcement and Immediate Reactions

Source	Reaction	Key Quote
Trump’s 2026 Town Hall (June 4)	Asserted the U.S. will “manage Venezuela’s oil fields for the next decade to guarantee energy security.”	“we’ll keep the lights on at home and the pumps moving abroad.”
U.S. Department of State (official comment)	Clarified the statement was political rhetoric, not an imminent policy shift.	“No formal decision has been made; any action would require congressional approval.”
Venezuelan government (Nicolás Maduro, press release)	Condemned the remark as “imperial aggression” and called for UN intervention.	“Sovereignty will not be sold to the highest bidder.”
International Energy Agency (IEA)	Highlighted potential market volatility if the U.S. pursued direct control of PDVSA assets.	“Oil price spikes could reach 15 % within weeks.”

The divergent responses illustrate the gap between political posturing and the practical steps required to operationalize such a claim.

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Legal and Constitutional Constraints

1. War Powers Resolution (1973) – Any sustained military presence beyond 60 days must be authorized by Congress.
2. International Law – United Nations Charter prohibits the use of force except in self‑defense or with Security Council approval.
3. Domestic statutes – The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Foreign Assistance Act set limits on unilateral exploitation of foreign natural resources.

Practical implication: Even if Trump’s management pursued the plan, it would need a joint resolution from the House and Senate, a UN Security Council resolution (or a legal just‑ification under existing sanctions), and a robust inter‑agency coordination framework.

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Strategic Benefits of Controlling Venezuelan Oil

• Energy security: diversifies U.S. supply away from OPEC‑plus volatility.
• Economic leverage: Access to cheap crude could lower gasoline prices domestically by up to 8 %.
• Geopolitical influence: Direct control would give Washington a bargaining chip in latin America,countering China and Russia’s growing presence.
• Revenue stream: Estimated net cash flow of $12‑$15 billion per year after operating costs, assuming a 35 % royalty to the Venezuelan state under a joint‑venture model.

These advantages are often cited in think‑tank analyses (e.g., Brookings Institution, 2025 report on “Energy Dominance and Latin america”).

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Potential Risks and International Pushback

• Regional backlash: CELAC and the Organization of American States (OAS) have already signaled diplomatic protests.
• Sanctions spillover: New U.S. sanctions could unintentionally impact neighboring economies reliant on Venezuelan trade.
• Supply chain disruption: PDVSA’s aging infrastructure—refineries operating at <20 % capacity—means meaningful capital investment (estimated $30 billion) before production can be scaled.
• Domestic political cost: Congressional opposition may view the move as a “neo‑imperialist” overreach, possibly affecting upcoming mid‑term elections.

Mitigating these risks would require a multilateral approach, possibly leveraging CARICOM frameworks and securing multinational consortiums for rebuilding refinery capacity.

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operational Considerations for long‑Term Management

1. Asset acquisition strategy

• Joint‑venture model: U.S. firms (e.g., ExxonMobil, Chevron) partner with PDVSA under a 60/40 profit‑share.
• License‑based approach: Obtain short‑term production licenses via the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

2. infrastructure revitalization

• Phase 1 (Year 1‑2): Rehabilitate the Campo García and Bachaquero offshore platforms—estimated $5 billion.
• Phase 2 (Year 3‑5): Upgrade the Amuay refinery to meet U.S. EPA standards, increasing export capability.

3. Human resources

• technical workforce: Deploy a task force of 250 engineers and safety specialists from the Department of Energy (DOE).
• Local employment: Commit to hiring 15 % of the operational staff from Venezuelan nationals to meet UN labor standards.

4. Security framework

• Joint security command: Combine U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) assets with Venezuelan National Guard units under a unified rules‑of‑engagement (ROE).
• Cyber‑defense: Harden SCADA systems against state‑sponsored attacks,allocating $200 million to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

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Case Studies: Past Resource‑Driven Interventions

Event	Objective	Outcome	Lessons for Venezuela
U.S. operations in Iraq (2003‑2011)	Securing oil fields and stabilizing production	Initial surge in output, followed by insurgent disruptions and long‑term political fallout	Need for robust local governance and post‑conflict reconstruction plans
U.K. involvement in the North Sea (1970s‑1990s)	Joint development of offshore reserves	Sustainable production and shared revenue models	Effective public‑private partnerships reduce sovereign risk
China’s 2014‑2020 agreements in Sudan	Infrastructure investment for oil export	Boosted output but sparked regional tensions	Obvious contracts and regional stakeholder engagement are critical

Applying these insights suggests that any U.S. “run” of Venezuelan oil should prioritize partnership, capacity building, and clear exit strategies.

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practical Tips for Monitoring the Situation

1. track legislative activity – set alerts on Congress.gov for bills related to “Venezuela oil” and “foreign military operations.”
2. Follow sanction updates – subscribe to OFAC newsletters; new license releases are often precursors to operational moves.
3. Watch market indicators – Sudden shifts in Brent or WTI spreads with the Venezuelan crude price index may signal policy changes.
4. Engage with regional think‑tanks – Institutions like the Caribbean Policy Development Center provide real‑time analysis of local sentiment.

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Key Takeaways for Policy Makers

• Legal groundwork is non‑negotiable; any long‑term control must secure congressional and international authorization.
• strategic partnerships—rather than unilateral occupation—offer the most sustainable path to harnessing Venezuela’s oil reserves.
• Investment in infrastructure is a prerequisite; without modernized refineries and pipelines, raw reserves remain untapped.
• Risk mitigation demands a balanced diplomatic approach, aligning U.S. energy goals with regional stability and human rights considerations.

By aligning political ambition with pragmatic operational planning, the United States can realistically assess whether “running venezuela for years” is a feasible component of its long‑term energy strategy.