Venezuela has indicated it is open to negotiating an oil deal with the United States, even as senior figures in Washington claim that US authorities now exercise effective control over the country’s energy resources. The statements mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric and policy surrounding Venezuela’s oil sector, with significant implications for global energy markets and national sovereignty.
Rodríguez signals pragmatic shift on oil cooperation
Speaking amid heightened geopolitical tension, Delcy Rodríguez said Venezuela was prepared to engage in discussions on oil cooperation if such arrangements contributed to economic stability and a resumption of lawful trade. Her comments suggested a pragmatic approach from Caracas, where oil revenues remain central to any prospect of recovery after years of sanctions, declining output, and chronic underinvestment.
Rodríguez framed the possibility of a deal as a means of protecting Venezuela’s long-term interests while re-entering global energy markets under clearer terms. At the same time, she rejected suggestions that Venezuela had relinquished sovereignty over its resources, stressing that any agreement would need to respect national ownership of oil assets.
Washington claims control over Venezuelan resources
The remarks came as senior US officials adopted a far more assertive tone. J. D. Vance said the United States now effectively “controls” Venezuela’s oil resources, a claim that has drawn international attention and criticism. The statement reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to exert direct influence over Venezuelan oil production, exports, and revenues following recent enforcement actions.
On Wednesday, US authorities seized two sanctioned oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude, signalling a willingness to intervene physically in oil flows linked to Caracas. Officials in Washington described the seizures as part of a campaign to enforce sanctions and redirect Venezuelan oil exports under US oversight.
Oil, sanctions, and political leverage
The administration’s approach represents a significant shift from traditional sanctions policy toward more direct control of supply chains. By seizing tankers and asserting authority over exports, Washington aims to influence both pricing and destination of Venezuelan crude, while limiting access by rival powers and sanctioned intermediaries.
The strategy follows the removal of long-time Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, an event that has fundamentally altered the political landscape in Caracas. US officials argue that tighter control over oil revenues is necessary to prevent corruption, finance reconstruction, and stabilise the country under new leadership structures.
Global energy and geopolitical implications
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and any shift in control or production has immediate consequences for global energy markets. Increased US influence over Venezuelan crude could reshape trade flows, particularly at a time when supply security remains a central concern for consuming nations.
Critics warn that the assertion of external control over a sovereign country’s natural resources sets a controversial precedent. Several governments have expressed concern that such measures blur the line between sanctions enforcement and de facto resource administration, potentially increasing geopolitical risk in energy markets.
A narrow path forward for Venezuela
For Venezuela, openness to an oil deal reflects both necessity and calculation. Reviving production and securing reliable revenue streams are essential to stabilising the economy, restoring infrastructure, and addressing humanitarian pressures. However, the terms of any agreement will be closely scrutinised domestically and internationally, particularly if they appear to compromise national autonomy.
As talks remain informal and politically charged, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether cooperation leads to structured agreements or deeper confrontation. What is clear is that Venezuela’s oil sector has once again become a focal point of global power politics, with consequences extending far beyond its borders.
Newshub Editorial in South America – 8 January 2026
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