‘We’re in the oil business’: Trump signals expanded US oil sales after Maduro, wife captured
In a stunning turn of events, the United States military conducted a large-scale strike in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, confirmed by President Trump early Saturday morning, marks a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two nations. Following the capture, Trump declared the United States would temporarily "run" Venezuela and signaled intentions to tap into the country's vast oil reserves.
According to reports, Maduro and Flores were taken from their residence on a military base and transported to New York to face criminal charges. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted that the couple would face justice in American courts. Maduro had been previously indicted in the Southern District of New York on narco-terrorism charges in 2020, and a new indictment including his wife has been issued.
"We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump stated at a press conference. He further boasted that "no nation in the world could achieve what America achieved". The legal justification for the military action, which has been compared to the 1990 U.S. invasion of Panama, remains unclear. The U.S. government does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela.
Trump emphasized Venezuela's oil wealth, stating, "In terms of other countries that want oil, we're in the oil business,". He indicated the U.S. would be selling Venezuelan oil, "probably in much larger doses," due to the country's struggling infrastructure under Maduro. Trump also claimed that both the Venezuelan people and the U.S. would benefit from these oil sales. He stated the U.S. would be "very strongly involved" in Venezuela's oil sector.
The capture of Maduro and the announcement of potential oil sales have drawn strong reactions internationally. Venezuela's Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, demanded proof of life for Maduro and his wife. The UN special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, Ben Saul, condemned the U.S. action as illegal aggression and called for an investigation.
It remains unclear how the U.S. will manage Venezuelan oil operations and sales. Venezuela, a member of OPEC+, exported approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day in November. Chevron, operating in Venezuela under a U.S. waiver, imported around 120,000 barrels per day to the U.S. in December.
The situation is rapidly evolving, and the long-term implications for Venezuela and the global oil market are uncertain.
