The US has declared its intention to maintain control over Venezuela’s oil industry indefinitely without specifying a timeframe for its operations. Energy secretary Chris Wright announced that the US plans to oversee the sale of Venezuela’s oil production for an indefinite period. This statement was made during a Goldman Sachs energy conference near Miami. President Donald Trump previously mentioned that Venezuela would transfer millions of barrels of oil to the US.
A meeting is scheduled at the White House on Friday with US oil company executives to discuss Venezuela. The Trump administration has been urging Venezuela to open its struggling oil industry to American investment. Representatives from Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are expected to participate in the meeting.
Recent reports indicate that 24 Venezuelan security officers died during a US military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro and transport him to the US to face drug charges. Acting president Delcy Rodriguez has resisted pressure from Trump to align Venezuela’s interests with those of the US by granting access to American energy companies.
In another development, the US intercepted a Venezuela-related oil tanker in British waters. The vessel, known as the Marinera and previously named Bella-1, was seized by US forces as it sailed between Iceland and Scotland. This action was part of Trump’s naval blockade of Venezuela, which began in December. The tanker was tracked and boarded by American law enforcement officials with the support of the US armed forces.
The US European Command confirmed that the tanker was seized in the North Atlantic based on a warrant issued by a US federal court. The operation aligns with Trump’s Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that pose a threat to the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere. Pete Hegseth, the US war secretary, reiterated via social media that the blockade on Venezuelan oil remains fully enforced worldwide.