US asserts authority over Venezuela’s oil sale decisions

The administration of US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that it would dictate decisions taken by Venezuela’s interim authorities and exercise indefinite control over the country’s oil sales following the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.

Trump’s assertion of US dominance over the oil-rich South American nation came despite interim leader Delcy Rodriguez’s insistence that no foreign power is governing Caracas.

“There is a stain on our relations such as has never occurred in our history,” Rodriguez said, describing the US operation to remove her predecessor.

US special forces captured Maduro and his wife during a rapid raid on Saturday and transported them to New York to face drug-related charges, highlighting what Trump has termed the “Donroe Doctrine” of US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

“We obviously have maximum leverage over the interim authorities in Venezuela right now,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, referring to the operation.
“We are in close coordination with the interim authorities, and their decisions will continue to be dictated by the United States of America.”

Trump has said the United States will effectively “run” Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

Washington has not deployed ground troops, instead relying on a naval blockade and the threat of further military action to secure cooperation from the interim government.

Caracas said on Wednesday that at least 100 people were killed and a similar number injured in the US attack. Among the injured were Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said. The couple were later seen walking unaided during their arraignment in a New York court.

Cuba said 32 of its military personnel were among the dead. Like his predecessor Hugo Chavez, Maduro had relied on Cuban security forces as bodyguards.

‘Not just winging it’

The Trump administration, which has signalled it will continue working with Rodriguez while sidelining opposition figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, has provided limited details about its post-Maduro plans.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after meeting lawmakers on Capitol Hill that the administration was “not just winging it,” amid criticism over the lack of clarity.

So far, the plan centres on an agreement under which Venezuela would transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States for resale.

Trump said Venezuela would use the proceeds exclusively to purchase American-made products, including agricultural goods, machinery, medical equipment and energy infrastructure.

Rubio said a second “recovery” phase would allow US and Western companies access to Venezuela’s market while initiating a national reconciliation process.

Venezuela’s state oil company said it was discussing oil sales with the United States under existing commercial frameworks, but Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicated Washington was seeking long-term control.

“We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela — first the stored oil, and then indefinitely,” Wright said.

‘Immense opportunity’

Trump is scheduled to meet US oil executives on Friday to discuss potential investment in Venezuela’s deteriorating energy facilities, though no firm commitments have been announced.

“It’s a meeting to discuss the immense opportunity before these oil companies,” Leavitt said.

Trump also invited Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House in the near future following their first phone call since Trump returned to office.

The United States further asserted its authority by seizing two oil tankers, including one linked to Russia, which it pursued from Venezuelan waters into the North Atlantic. Moscow condemned the move, but the White House said the vessel had been deemed stateless after flying a false flag.