The United States has announced that it will control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitely, including deciding how the revenue from those sales is used, marking one of the most aggressive moves yet in its confrontation with Venezuela.
President Donald Trump said Caracas would be required to hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to Washington under the new arrangement. The administration has framed the move as part of a broader effort to enforce sanctions and reshape Venezuela&rsquo;s political and economic future.
The announcement follows a series of military and enforcement actions by the US. On Wednesday, American special forces seized two vessels linked to Venezuela, including a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic, accusing them of breaching sanctions. The seizures underline Washington&rsquo;s willingness to extend its reach beyond the region to police Venezuelan oil exports.
The situation escalated further after the Trump administration carried out an operation that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The attack reportedly led to significant casualties, intensifying international concern over the legality and consequences of the move. Caracas has described the action as an act of aggression and a violation of its sovereignty.
At the diplomatic level, Trump has announced plans for a meeting at the White House with Gustavo Petro, following phone talks between the two leaders. The discussions are expected to focus on regional stability and the growing tensions triggered by Washington&rsquo;s actions in Venezuela.
The fallout is being felt beyond Latin America. Diplomats in the European Union are reportedly weighing the possibility of a more direct confrontation with the Trump administration. Officials have expressed alarm over what they see as increasingly unilateral US actions, including rhetoric related to Greenland.
Some European allies, including France and Germany, are said to be working on contingency plans should Washington attempt to expand its influence over Greenland, a semiautonomous territory linked to Denmark.
As the US tightens its grip on Venezuelan oil and signals a readiness to act decisively on multiple fronts, analysts warn that the developments could reshape global energy markets and strain alliances. For many governments, the unfolding crisis raises urgent questions about power, sovereignty, and the limits of international law.

U.S. Moves to Control Venezuelan Oil Indefinitely

Washington seizes tankers and claims control of Venezuela’s oil sales

U.S. Moves to Control Venezuelan Oil Indefinitely

Washington seizes tankers and claims control of Venezuela’s oil sales

January 8, 2026 | 22:51 IST