Trump claims US majority control over Venezuelan oil reserves
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Donald Trump says the United States has secured “majority” control of 65bn barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves through an agreement with interim president Delcy Rodríguez. The administration has not disclosed the terms, companies, oilfields or legal structure involved, leaving unclear how such control would be exercised. The deal matters because it could expand US access to Venezuelan crude while increasing Washington’s influence over the country’s energy sector.
Trump said the agreement was brokered through private business by secretary of state Marco Rubio and defence secretary Pete Hegseth, would cost US taxpayers nothing and could more than double American oil reserves. Venezuela holds an estimated 303bn barrels of proven reserves and produces about 1.25m barrels a day; the US has sought supplies for refineries, lower fuel prices before November’s midterms and options to replenish its strategic reserve. Reports had suggested US companies could take stakes in more than a dozen fields, while Venezuelan opposition figures criticised the negotiations as a resource grab.
- Trump claims US majority control of 65bn Venezuelan oil barrels
- Agreement’s terms and participating companies remain undisclosed
- Critics say the deal risks becoming a resource grab
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Venezuela has some of the world’s largest reported oil reserves, much of them controlled by the state through the company PDVSA. But years of underinvestment, mismanagement and international sanctions have limited production and made it difficult to sell and refine its oil.
The United States has long used sanctions to pressure Venezuela’s government, while allowing or restricting oil companies’ dealings there at different times. Venezuelan crude is particularly heavy, and some US refineries are designed to process it, making access to those supplies commercially significant.
Donald Trump is the US president, while Delcy Rodríguez is leading Venezuela’s interim government. Any arrangement involving oilfields would raise questions about Venezuelan control of natural resources, the legal effect of sanctions and the role of private companies in operating the fields.
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The case for
Supporters argue that a transparent, lawful agreement could strengthen US energy security without requiring taxpayer spending, while giving Venezuela investment, technical expertise and a route to revive underperforming oil infrastructure. They contend that securing reliable heavy crude could help US refineries, ease pressure on fuel prices and diversify supplies, and that commercial participation may be preferable to indefinite sanctions or isolation.
The case against
Critics argue that claiming control over another country’s reserves, particularly through undisclosed negotiations with an interim government, risks undermining Venezuelan sovereignty and democratic legitimacy. They warn that opaque resource deals can enrich political and corporate insiders, deepen instability and create a perception of US exploitation, while any short-term energy gains may be outweighed by legal, ethical and geopolitical costs.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Trump announces new US oil agreement with Venezuela”.