In early January 2026, President Donald Trump authorized a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the dramatic capture and extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas; the pair were flown to the United States to face criminal charges, including alleged narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, marking one of the most aggressive U.S. interventions in Latin America in decades. The controversial night-time raid—conducted by elite U.S. forces and supported by airstrikes—sparked international debate over sovereignty and legality, with critics condemning the operation as a breach of international law while the Trump administration framed it as necessary to bring Maduro to justice and stabilize the region.
U.S.–Venezuela relations have been fraught for decades, but in recent years the intensity of American actions — from economic sanctions to military intervention — has sparked accusations of oppression, economic warfare, and violations of Venezuelan sovereignty. What the United States touts as pressure for democracy and accountability is viewed by many observers — especially in Latin America and international institutions — as coercive, harmful, and in some cases unlawful.
US Oil Interests
The United States has long eyed Venezuela’s vast oil reserves — the largest proven in the world — as a strategic energy asset, both for domestic refineries and broader geopolitical leverage; Venezuelan crude is a type of heavy oil that complements U.S. refining capacity and, if brought back into significant production and export, could help stabilize global energy markets and enhance U.S. energy security. More recently, following the U.S. military operation against Nicolás Maduro’s government, Washington has signaled intentions to control and sell Venezuelan oil and encourage U.S. companies to invest in reviving its production, framing this as a way to secure energy supplies, reduce foreign dependence, and even lower fuel prices — while critics argue that the motivations also include expanding U.S. influence, controlling strategic resources, and limiting rival powers’ access to Venezuelan crude.
Years Of Trying
Due to Venezuelan resistance in submitting to US oil interests, years of political conflict have occured between the two countires. Since the mid-2010s, the United States has imposed a broad spectrum of unilateral sanctions on Venezuela targeting government officials, state enterprises like PDVSA, and the financial sector. These policies accelerated after contentious elections and disputes over legitimacy, particularly following Nicolás Maduro’s controversial re-elections and the 2019 political rupture when Washington recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president.
Officials claim sanctions are meant to punish corruption, human rights abuses, and anti-democratic behavior in Caracas. Legislation dating back to 2014 authorized visa bans and asset freezes against Venezuelan officials involved in rights violations.
The U.S. government has repeatedly escalated diplomatic pressure on Venezuela, including recognition of opposition leadership, threats to withhold sanction relief until political concessions occur, and tying sanctions conditions to internal negotiations. These strategies are seen by critics as interference in Venezuela’s domestic politics rather than neutral support for democratic processes.
Critics, including the United Nations and independent analysts, contend that these sanctions have inflicted severe harm on Venezuela’s economy and population. A UN Special Rapporteur described the measures as a near-total economic blockade, drastically reducing government revenue — particularly from oil — and shrinking the economy.
Estimates from research institutions attribute tens of thousands of excess deaths to sanctions-related shortages of medicine, food, and basic services. Critics argue this amounts to collective punishment of ordinary Venezuelans, disproportionately hurting the most vulnerable — children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
Human rights advocates also highlight disruptions in food imports, water services, and healthcare access that stem directly from restricted financial flows and frozen assets, exacerbating an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The Breaking Point
All this political pressure just to force Venezuela’s leadership to submit to US oil interests or face further escelation, which is exactly what President Trump delivered. Now that Maduro is in custody there is not much stopping the US from taking full control of Venezuelan oil, although that is not to say it will be easy. The country is still dealing with civil unrest, a poor economy, and political resistance. There are also clear signs of the oil industry being hesitant towards such an aggressive investment. Regardless, us oil interests in Venezuela just got a whole lot cozier.
The American Centrist 
