The United States has said it will dictate key decisions taken by Venezuela’s interim authorities and control the country’s oil sales on an indefinite basis, following the removal of long-time leader Nicolas Maduro.
The announcement by President Donald Trump’s administration marks a sweeping assertion of US influence over the oil-rich South American nation, despite statements from Venezuela’s interim leadership that the country remains sovereign and free from foreign control.
Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States now held “maximum leverage” over Venezuela’s interim authorities and would continue to shape their decisions.
“We’re continuing to be in close coordination with the interim authorities, and their decisions are going to continue to be dictated by the United States of America,” she said.
The comments followed a dramatic weekend operation in which US special forces detained Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during what officials described as a rapid military raid. The couple was later flown to New York to face drug-related charges, a move the Trump administration said underscored what the president has described as a new doctrine of US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump has said the United States will effectively “run” Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves. However, Washington has said it does not currently have troops deployed inside the country, instead relying on naval operations and the threat of further force to secure cooperation from the interim government.
Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, rejected the claim that the country was under foreign control, saying no external power was governing from Caracas. She described relations with Washington as deeply damaged, accusing the United States of carrying out an unprecedented attack on Venezuela’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan authorities said at least 100 people were killed and a similar number injured during the US operation. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said those injured included Maduro and his wife, though both were later seen walking unaided during a court appearance in New York. Cuban officials said 32 members of Cuba’s military were among those killed, noting that Cuban personnel had long provided security support to Venezuela’s leadership.
Oil at the centre of US plans
US officials have offered limited details about their long-term strategy for Venezuela, though energy policy has emerged as a central focus.
Trump said this week that Venezuela had agreed to hand over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, which Washington would then sell. He said proceeds from the sales would be used exclusively to purchase American-made goods, including agricultural products, machinery, medical equipment and energy infrastructure.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration was not improvising its response and insisted there was a structured plan in place. He said a second phase would allow US and Western companies to enter the Venezuelan market while beginning what he described as a process of national reconciliation.
Venezuela’s state-run oil company confirmed it was in talks with Washington over oil sales under existing commercial arrangements, referring to discussions on the sale of crude volumes.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright suggested Washington’s ambitions extended well beyond short-term arrangements, saying the United States would market Venezuela’s crude oil indefinitely, beginning with stored supplies and continuing with future production.
“We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela, and then going forward, we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela,” he said.
Industry interest and tanker seizures
Trump is due to meet executives from major US oil companies on Friday to discuss potential investment in Venezuela’s ageing oil infrastructure, although no firm commitments have been announced amid continued instability in the country.
The White House described the talks as an opportunity to assess the scale of potential investment in Venezuela’s energy sector.
Washington has also moved to enforce its authority at sea, seizing two oil tankers, including one with alleged Russian links. US officials said the vessel had been declared stateless after flying a false flag, a claim rejected by Moscow, which condemned the seizure.
The developments mark a major escalation in US involvement in Venezuela, placing the country’s vast oil resources at the centre of a rapidly evolving geopolitical and energy confrontation.
.jpg "LPG cylinder price reduced to Tk1,885 in Bangladesh")