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

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.

The United States seized two tankers, the Russian-flagged Marinera in the North Atlantic and the M/T Sophia in the Caribbean, for allegedly transporting Venezuelan oil in violation of sanctions. The Marinera was boarded after a nearly two-week pursuit, with logistical support from the British Navy. The US accused the M/T Sophia of illicit activities and received cooperation from Venezuelan leadership regarding this seizure. Russia has condemned the seizure of the Marinera, demanding proper treatment and repatriation of its crew. The US claims the Marinera was a stateless "shadow fleet" vessel operating under a false flag. The US intends to sell the seized oil and control the distribution of proceeds to benefit the Venezuelan people.

The Trump administration briefed the Senate on "Operation Absolute Resolve," a military raid on January 3rd that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas and brought them to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Republicans are largely defending the operation as a law enforcement action against an indicted criminal. Democrats, however, are decrying it as an illegal act of war and a dangerous overreach of presidential power. Secretary Rubio stated the plan involves stabilizing Venezuela, allowing companies access to its oil market, and extracting 30-50 million barrels of oil to sell. The operation involved US special forces capturing Maduro and Flores, transporting them to the US, and presenting Maduro in federal court where he pleaded not guilty. The briefing revealed deep divisions in Washington regarding the legality and potential consequences of the US action in Venezuela.

In December 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting Venezuela's oil industry. The sanctions, part of President Trump's pressure campaign against Nicolas Maduro, target four companies and their oil tankers: the Nord Star, the Rosalind, the Valiant, and the Della. These tankers are accused of helping Venezuela circumvent existing sanctions and providing financial resources to Maduro's government. The U.S. claims Maduro's government is a "narco-terrorist" regime that destabilizes the U.S. and profits from oil exports to fund its operations. The sanctions aim to prevent the Maduro regime from profiting from oil exports.

The US Coast Guard is pursuing another oil tanker near Venezuela, the second such action in two days and the third in a week, as the US increases pressure on Venezuela's oil sector. US officials claim the tanker, identified as the Bella 1, is a sanctioned "dark fleet vessel" evading sanctions and flying a false flag. The ship, already under US sanctions for alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah, did not submit to being boarded when approached. The US has increased its military presence in the region, conducting strikes against vessels near Venezuela. While the White House claims the seizures of "black market ships" won't affect US oil prices, an oil trader anticipates increased prices when Asian markets reopen due to rising geopolitical tensions.

The US Coast Guard is pursuing another oil tanker near Venezuela, the second such action in two days and the third in a week, as the US increases pressure on Venezuela's oil sector. US officials claim the tanker, identified as the Bella 1, is a sanctioned "dark fleet vessel" evading sanctions and flying a false flag. The ship, already under US sanctions for alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah, did not submit to being boarded when approached. The US has increased its military presence in the region, conducting strikes against vessels near Venezuela. While the White House claims the seizures of "black market ships" won't affect US oil prices, an oil trader anticipates increased prices when Asian markets reopen due to rising geopolitical tensions.

The US Coast Guard is pursuing another oil tanker near Venezuela, the second such action in two days and the third in a week, as the US increases pressure on Venezuela's oil sector. US officials claim the tanker, identified as the Bella 1, is a sanctioned "dark fleet vessel" evading sanctions and flying a false flag. The ship, already under US sanctions for alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah, did not submit to being boarded when approached. The US has increased its military presence in the region, conducting strikes against vessels near Venezuela. While the White House claims the seizures of "black market ships" won't affect US oil prices, an oil trader anticipates increased prices when Asian markets reopen due to rising geopolitical tensions.