Key Takeaways:
- The United States will maintain oversight of Venezuela for a long time, according to President Donald Trump
- The US plans to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that had been stuck in the country under US blockade
- Trump has unveiled a plan to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry and economy, with the help of major US oil companies
- The US has been in constant communication with the Venezuelan government, despite worldwide consensus that the opposition had won the 2024 presidential election
- Trump has walked back his threat against Colombia, after a phone call with the country’s president, Gustavo Petro
Introduction to the Situation in Venezuela
The situation in Venezuela has taken a dramatic turn, with President Donald Trump stating that the United States will maintain oversight of the country for a long time. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump said that the US will "rebuild" Venezuela in a "very profitable way," using the country’s oil resources to generate revenue. This comes after the US seized President Nicolás Maduro in a raid last weekend, and Trump has announced plans to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that had been stuck in the country under US blockade.
US Involvement in Venezuela
The US has been in constant communication with the Venezuelan government, despite worldwide consensus that the opposition had won the 2024 presidential election. Trump has said that the US is "getting along very well" with interim president Delcy Rodríguez’s government, and that "they’re giving us everything that we feel is necessary." However, Trump declined to comment on whether he had personally spoken to Rodríguez, instead saying that Secretary of State Marco Rubio "speaks to her all the time." The US plans to exert influence over Venezuela without a military occupation, but with the goal of controlling the country’s oil sales and revenues indefinitely.
Protests and Reactions in Venezuela
The seizure of Maduro has sparked daily protests in Caracas, with government supporters calling for his release. The protesters have chanted "Nico, hold on, the people are rising!" and "Trump, give us back Nico!" despite the fact that the US has recognized Rodríguez as the new leader of Venezuela. Opposition figure María Corina Machado, who was banned from running in the 2024 election, has been frozen out by the Trump administration, despite being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The next election in Venezuela is not due until 2030, and Trump made no commitments to when a new election would be held.
Trump’s Threats Against Colombia
Trump had previously threatened to carry out military action against Colombia, calling the country’s president Gustavo Petro "a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States." However, after a phone call with Petro, Trump appears to have walked back his threat. The phone call, which lasted about an hour, was described as cordial, and Trump said that he looked forward to meeting Petro in the near future. Petro also described the call as cordial, and said that he appreciated Trump’s tone.
US Oil Companies and Venezuela
The US plans to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry and economy, with the help of major US oil companies. Trump is scheduled to meet with the heads of Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron at the White House to discuss ways of raising Venezuela’s oil production. The companies have declined to comment, but US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that they want to be "productive advisers and helpers" in the process of rehabilitating Venezuela’s oil sector. Wright also said that there is room for both the US and China to be involved in Venezuela’s oil industry, but only if "America is the dominant force there."
Conclusion and Future Plans
The situation in Venezuela remains uncertain, with the US maintaining oversight of the country and planning to rebuild its oil industry and economy. Trump’s plans have been met with protests and criticism, but the US appears determined to exert its influence over Venezuela. The meeting between Trump and the heads of US oil companies will be closely watched, as the US seeks to raise Venezuela’s oil production and generate revenue. The future of Venezuela remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the US will play a major role in shaping the country’s future.
