Trump Administration Seeks Control of Venezuelan Oil After Ousting Maduro
The Trump administration ousted Nicolás Maduro and will control Venezuela's oil. President Trump is unsure if the nation staying in OPEC benefits the US.
Insights:
The 
US administration has moved to assert direct authority over the energy sector in 
VE following an operation in early January 2026 that resulted in the removal of President Nicolás Maduro nicol s madurofrom power. Officials stated that the US intends to maintain indefinite control over the country's oil resources as a primary means to rebuild an industry that has suffered a total collapse after years of economic turmoil and international sanctions. This direct intervention into the management of the world's largest crude reserves introduces significant structural tensions between the production goals of the US and the supply management strategies of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
US administration has moved to assert direct authority over the energy sector in VE following an operation in early January 2026 that resulted in the removal of President Nicolás Maduro nicol s madurofrom power. Officials stated that the US intends to maintain indefinite control over the country's oil resources as a primary means to rebuild an industry that has suffered a total collapse after years of economic turmoil and international sanctions. This direct intervention into the management of the world's largest crude reserves introduces significant structural tensions between the production goals of the US and the supply management strategies of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
