US says it will control Venezuela’s oil sales ‘indefinitely’

Al JazeeraCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffJanuary 7, 2026 at 11:31 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

In January 2026, the US government announced it would control Venezuelan oil sales "indefinitely." The US Department of Energy stated it has begun marketing Venezuelan oil globally, with proceeds deposited in US-controlled accounts. These funds will be disbursed at the US government's discretion for the benefit of both American and Venezuelan people. This action follows the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and amid a pressure campaign by the Trump administration. The US also seized Venezuela-linked vessels for allegedly violating US sanctions, including a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic. The US plans to control Venezuela's oil reserves, with an initial sale of 30-50 million barrels anticipated.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Capitol Hill 30% Washington, D.C. 40% Russian Federation 40% New York 40% Marco Rubio 50% US Department of Energy 60% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×270% Donald Trump ×380% United States ×1090% Venezuela ×990%

Keywords

venezuelan oil 100% us control 90% oil sales 80% trump administration 70% seizure of vessels 60% international law 50% economic sanctions 50% us foreign policy 40%