The United States has declared its intention to maintain control over Venezuela’s oil industry for an unspecified period, without providing a specific timeline for its operations in the country. Energy secretary Chris Wright announced that the U.S. aims to retain significant influence over Venezuela’s oil production and sales indefinitely.
Addressing a Goldman Sachs energy conference near Miami, Mr. Wright stated that the U.S. would continue to oversee the marketing of Venezuela’s oil output. This statement followed President Donald Trump’s assertion that Venezuela would transfer tens of millions of barrels of oil to the United States in the near future.
The White House is arranging a meeting with U.S. oil company executives to discuss Venezuela’s oil industry, which the Trump administration has been urging to open up to American investment. Representatives from major companies such as Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are expected to participate in the meeting.
In response to a reported U.S. military operation targeting President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan officials announced the deaths of at least 24 security officers. Acting president Delcy Rodriguez rebuffed Trump’s warnings, emphasizing the need for Venezuela to align with U.S. interests, including granting access to American energy firms.
Simultaneously, the U.S. intercepted a Venezuela-associated oil tanker in British waters. The vessel, previously known as Bella-1 and now named Marinera, was boarded by U.S. forces as it traversed the waters between Iceland and Scotland. The operation was part of Trump’s naval blockade against Venezuela, which commenced in December.
According to a U.S. official, American law enforcement agents have boarded the Marinera, with support from the nation’s armed forces. The seizure of the vessel was carried out without any reported gunfire incidents. The U.S. European Command confirmed that the tanker was seized in the North Atlantic under a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court, in line with Trump’s Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that pose threats to the Western Hemisphere’s security and stability.
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. war secretary, emphasized on a social media platform that the blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil remains fully operational worldwide.