US Moves to Sell Seized Venezuelan Oil After Capture of President Maduro

The United States has announced plans to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil following the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. raid over the weekend. President Donald Trump said the oil—previously blocked under U.S. sanctions—will be shipped directly to the United States and sold at market prices, with proceeds to be controlled by Washington “to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.” The raid, which reportedly resulted in dozens of deaths, has drawn sharp condemnation from Russia, China and Venezuela’s allies, while U.S. partners have urged adherence to international law.

Maduro, now jailed in New York on narcotics charges, pleaded not guilty and insisted he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president. In the interim, the U.S. is coordinating with acting Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez and senior figures from the former government to maintain stability—an approach that has disappointed opposition factions led by Maria Corina Machado, who had sought a greater role in the transition. Reports indicate the CIA advised the White House that retaining key Maduro-era officials, including powerful Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, would help prevent unrest during the transition period.

Meanwhile, Washington is pressing ahead with energy and economic priorities tied to the intervention. U.S. oil executives are expected to visit the White House to discuss potential investments and reconstruction of Venezuela’s oil industry, which once nationalized assets of major American firms. As Venezuela declares a week of mourning for soldiers killed in the raid, security forces continue operations at home, while international scrutiny intensifies over the legality and regional implications of the U.S. action.

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