China bought ‘legitimate’ Venezuelan oil from US after Maduro seizure, energy secretary says

U.S. forces seized the Olina, a fifth oil tanker linked to Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea, as part of ongoing efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. The U.S. Southern Command and Department of Homeland Security coordinated the seizure, alleging the tanker was attempting to evade U.S. forces after departing Venezuela with embargoed oil. This action follows the recent seizure of two other tankers, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, in the North Atlantic and Caribbean, with assistance from the UK Royal Navy in one instance. The U.S. alleges these tankers are part of a "ghost fleet" violating sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. The U.S. aims to restrict Venezuelan crude oil exports, with plans to sell seized oil and control the proceeds to benefit the Venezuelan people.

The United States seized the oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic on Wednesday after a two-week pursuit. The tanker, previously named Bella 1 and recently re-registered with Russia, had evaded the U.S. Coast Guard after an initial stop in the Caribbean while en route to Venezuela to pick up oil. U.S. officials stated the seizure was part of an effort to enforce a partial blockade on Venezuelan oil and pressure its leadership. Despite a formal request from Russia to halt the pursuit and the presence of Russian naval vessels, the Coast Guard boarded the ship without resistance from the crew. U.S. military support, including aircraft, was deployed to assist in the operation. The crew may face legal action in the United States.

In January 2026, the United States announced it would control the sales of Venezuelan oil "indefinitely." According to the announcement, the US will determine how the revenue from these sales is allocated. President Trump stated that Venezuela would transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. The US also seized two sanctioned oil tankers allegedly linked to Venezuela. The stated reason for this action was not provided in the article.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. will maintain a military presence near Venezuela to enforce sanctions and prevent sanctioned oil tankers from operating there. This "quarantine" aims to exert leverage on Venezuela's leadership and serve U.S. interests. Rubio indicated that President Trump hasn't ruled out deploying U.S. troops to Venezuela if deemed necessary. The U.S. is focused on Venezuela's oil industry, suggesting the administration wants the acting leader, Delcy Rodríguez, to allow American companies to invest and operate there under favorable conditions. Rubio stated that Venezuela needs private investment to revive its oil industry, which is currently under U.S. sanctions and government control. Chevron is currently the only U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela.

A Venezuela-linked oil tanker, formerly named Bella 1, evaded the U.S. Coast Guard by changing its name to Marinera, reflagging to Russia, and painting a Russian flag on its hull. The tanker, part of the "dark fleet," was later spotted off the coast of Ireland, prompting aerial surveillance by the U.S., U.K., France, and Ireland. Russia has reportedly deployed a submarine and naval assets to escort the tanker to its waters. The U.S. has been tracking the vessel since December, intensifying enforcement against Venezuelan oil shipments. Russia formally requested the U.S. cease its pursuit of the tanker in early January.

The US Coast Guard seized two oil tanker ships, the Marinera and the Sophia, in separate operations. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, one seizure occurred in the North Atlantic Sea and the other in international waters near the Caribbean Sea. The operations were described as "meticulously coordinated" and took place within hours of each other. Noem stated that the tankers either last docked in Venezuela or were en route to the country. The reason for the seizures was not explicitly stated in the provided information.

In January 2026, President Trump stated his intention to exploit Venezuela's vast oil reserves following the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Trump indicated that the aggressive U.S. actions were necessary to curb drugs and migration from that country. He claimed American companies would benefit, with profits also reimbursing the U.S. for damages caused by Venezuela. Trump suggested the country's oil wealth was a key factor in his decision to attack, and pledged that the United States would "run" Venezuela for the foreseeable future. While Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves, analysts caution that significantly increasing production could be a lengthy and expensive process.

Following a hypothetical military operation removing Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela, President Trump claims US oil companies could be operational there within 18 months. He suggests the companies would be reimbursed for their investments by the US government or through revenue generated. Trump believes increased Venezuelan oil production would benefit the US by lowering oil prices. However, analysts are skeptical, citing the need for a stable government, the high costs involved, and the time required to restore Venezuela's oil output. Chevron, the only US firm currently operating in Venezuela, stated it remains focused on employee safety and compliance with regulations. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, but its production has declined significantly.

Following the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, uncertainty surrounds Venezuela's economic future. The U.S. announced it will control Venezuelan oil sales "indefinitely," raising concerns about revenue for Caracas. The U.S. plans to market sanctioned oil, holding proceeds in U.S. Treasury accounts to be shared between the two countries. A deal was also struck for Venezuela to export up to $2 billion worth of crude oil to the U.S. In the long term, the U.S. may ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil imports and equipment. The impact on Venezuela's economy hinges on sanctions relief, relations with the U.S., and control of oil revenues, especially considering that nearly 80% of Venezuela's budget was allocated to social spending.

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.

In a phone interview with The New York Times on January 3, 2026, President Trump confirmed and celebrated the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump described the operation as "brilliant," citing "good planning" and "great troops." The interview occurred shortly after Trump announced the capture on social media. When asked if he had consulted Congress before the military action, Trump stated that they would discuss it later at a planned news conference. He declined to elaborate on the future of Venezuela or the justification for the mission, promising further details at the 11 a.m. press conference at Mar-a-Lago. The brief phone call lasted less than a minute.

President Trump announced the U.S. will govern Venezuela until a transition can occur. On January 3rd, the U.S. launched strikes in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump stated the couple was apprehended at a fortified residence and will be transported to New York, with only minor U.S. injuries reported. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Maduro's indictment in New York on drug and weapons charges, stating he will be prosecuted in American courts. In response, Venezuela declared a national emergency, condemning what it described as "extremely serious military aggression" by the U.S.

In a social media post on Saturday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance defended the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as legal. Vance stated that Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism, justifying the action as bringing him to justice. Vance added that President Maduro was offered multiple opportunities to cease drug trafficking and return "stolen oil" to the United States, referring to the nationalization of American oil fields in Venezuela. The capture is the latest escalation in a series of U.S. actions against Venezuela, including bombing suspected drug boats and blockading oil tankers. Maduro, Venezuela's leader since 2013, has denied the U.S. accusations.

Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, faces new charges in the Southern District of New York, according to an indictment unsealed on January 3, 2026. The indictment, posted by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, alleges that Maduro worked with traffickers to send cocaine from Venezuela to the United States, and accuses him of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. His wife, Cilia Flores, is also charged in the cocaine conspiracy. Maduro was previously indicted in 2020 on similar allegations, and his case has been ongoing for years. The new indictment names six defendants, including Maduro and Diosdado Cabello Rondón, a member of the armed forces and vice president of the ruling party. Maduro's son, Nicolas Maduro, is also charged as part of the same conspiracy.