On Wednesday, January 7, US President Donald Trump refused to provide a precise date for how long the US will continue to rule Venezuela and take oil from the South American nation, stating that “only time will tell.”
US stance on Venezuela control
Even though Nicolas Maduro’s cronies have ruled Venezuela for years, Donald Trump said in an interview with the New York Times that America would be in charge of the nation.
Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president, and the US were “getting along very nicely,” Trump said. Additionally, he said that the US was receiving all “that we believe is required” from the temporary administration. Remember that they stole the oil from us years ago.
Relations with the interim government
“They are treating us with tremendous respect,” he said. We have a great relationship with the current government, as you are aware.
“Marco [Secretary of State Marco Rubio] always communicates with her [Delcy Rodriguez.” The president said, “I will tell you that we are in daily touch with her and the government.”
US objectives and oil policy
Donald Trump said, “I would say much longer,” about the United States’ objective in Venezuela. “We will be both taking and utilizing oil. The US president said, “We are lowering oil prices and we are going to provide money to Venezuela, which they sorely need.”
Additionally, Donald Trump declined to respond to inquiries about why he had not yet ceded power to the opposition, which Washington had previously regarded as the rightful victor of the 2024 election.
Political power and governance questions
According to Trump, the US wants to “rule” Venezuela. According to US authorities, their current strategy is to use influence without resorting to a military presence. Additionally, Trump had only the day before announced his intention to refine and export up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that had been trapped in Venezuela due to a US embargo.
US sanctions and maritime enforcement
🛢️ US–Venezuela Oil Strategy
- US Position: No fixed end date for involvement
- Trump’s View: Control could last “much longer”
- Oil Plan: Use, refine, and export Venezuelan oil
- Volume: Up to 50 million barrels
- Objective: Lower oil prices and fund Venezuela
As part of increased attempts to impose sanctions related to Venezuela’s oil trade, the US Coast Guard has released video showing US personnel boarding and seizing control of the oil tanker Bella I, subsequently renamed Marinera, in the North Atlantic. Two Venezuelan-affiliated oil tankers, one of which was flying the Russian flag, were seized by the United States.
Coast Guard operation details
🚢 Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure
- Tanker: Bella I (renamed Marinera)
- Location: North Atlantic
- Agency: US Coast Guard with Dept of War
- Action: Boarding and seizure
- Reason: Enforcement of Venezuela oil sanctions
- Note: One tanker flew a Russian flag
The Coast Guard described the action as follows: “This morning in the North Atlantic, @USCG executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Bella I alongside @DeptofWar.” Tactical Coast Guard crews used our strong maritime law enforcement capabilities to seize Bella I via a well-executed combined operation after Coast Guard Cutter Munro conducted a persistent shadowing campaign across the Atlantic.
Frequently asked questions
1. Will the United States just stay in Venezuela for six months?
No, a six-month timeframe would be way too short, based on Trump’s public remarks and pronouncements. According to him, it will probably take considerably longer than that.
Reuters
2. Is there a one-year timeline?
Trump would not commit to a specific time frame, but he did hint that longer than a year is feasible.
The New York Post
3. Will the United States take direct control of Venezuela?
According to official U.S. declarations, they would monitor oil sales and exercise influence, but they will not legally run the nation as a government. The temporary government of Venezuela continues to operate.
Wikipedia
4. How about the extraction of oil?
Millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil have already been transferred to the United States, and the government says it intends to market and sell that oil as well as any future shipments under U.S. supervision, perhaps forever.
5. Is there a formal end date?
There is not yet a publicly announced termination date. The U.S. stance seems to be open-ended, effectively lasting until political circumstances or policy objectives are fulfilled.
Al-Jazeera
Conclusion
There is not yet a set timeframe for U.S. monitoring and engagement in Venezuela’s oil industry, such as six months or a year. The engagement may be “far longer,” according to President Trump, as U.S. authorities want to regulate Venezuelan oil sales for an indefinite amount of time. The duration of this control has no official deadline.
Disclaimer
This information is based on publicly available reports and official statements at the time of writing. The situation is evolving, and policies or timelines may change
