Strategically, the U.S. demands that Venezuela sever all ties with China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba before resuming full oil exports, aiming to eliminate competing foreign influence. Senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Stephen Miller, have emphasized that the United States is exercising effective authority over Venezuela’s government and economy during this transitional period. Contacts with Delcy Rodríguez’s administration confirm compliance with U.S. conditions, making Washington the gatekeeper for Venezuela’s reentry into international markets. The prospect of a prolonged U.S. supervisory role was confirmed by Trump, who underscored the indefinite timeframe of this control, highlighting the strategic importance of Venezuela’s hydrocarbons given its position as holder of the world’s largest crude reserves.
Venezuelan opposition figures, including Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, remain sidelined in U.S. plans, with the White House engaging primarily with Rodríguez’s government. Meanwhile, regional actors in Latin America expressed concern over U.S. intervention and its implications for sovereignty. The full rehabilitation of Venezuelan oil assets will hinge on substantial U.S. private investment and technology deployment, representing a significant strategic expansion of American influence in Latin America’s energy sector.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
