The United States has announced that it will take control of Venezuela’s oil exports indefinitely, marking a major escalation in Washington’s involvement in the country’s energy sector. According to U.S. officials, the decision will allow the American government to oversee the sale, marketing, and distribution of Venezuelan crude oil, as well as manage how the revenue generated from these exports is used.
U.S. authorities stated that the plan will begin with the sale of an estimated 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil currently in storage, after which the United States will continue handling future oil production under its supervision. Revenue from these sales will reportedly be deposited into accounts controlled by the U.S., with officials claiming the funds will be allocated in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people while aligning with broader U.S. strategic interests.
Washington has justified the move by arguing that Venezuela’s oil industry has been mismanaged for years and requires external oversight to stabilize production and prevent misuse of funds. U.S. leaders have also framed the policy as part of a wider effort to influence political change in Venezuela and rebuild the country’s collapsing energy infrastructure.
The announcement has triggered strong reactions internationally, with critics warning that the move amounts to an unprecedented assertion of control over another nation’s natural resources. Analysts say the policy could significantly reshape U.S.–Venezuela relations and have far-reaching consequences for global oil markets, especially if the arrangement continues without a clear end date.
