Trump demands full access to Venezuela's oil reserves

Monday 05 January 2026 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Trump demands full access to Venezuela's oil reserves

President Donald Trump declared Sunday evening that the United States holds control over Venezuela and demanded "full access" to the country's vast oil reserves following a military operation capturing President Nicolás Maduro, heightening tensions over Washington's role in the oil-rich South American nation. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump warned interim President Delcy Rodríguez she would face consequences "probably worse than Maduro" without compliance. "We need full access. We need to get to the oil and other resources in their country to rebuild their country," Trump stated.

The comments preceded Maduro's first court appearance Monday at noon before a Manhattan federal court on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges, after his pre-dawn Saturday capture in Caracas during the U.S. raid.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided a more measured take on the administration's approach, stating the U.S. would not directly govern Venezuela but apply pressure via an existing oil "quarantine" on sanctioned tankers. "We're continuing that quarantine, and we expect to see changes not just in how the oil industry is run for the people's benefit, but also stopping drug trafficking," Rubio said on CBS's "Face the Nation." He noted the administration would assess based on actions rather than pursue immediate regime change, with substantial U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean enforcing the near-blockade.

Trump warned of a "second wave of strikes" if Venezuelan authorities misbehave, asserting military forces remain primed for further action. He also threatened military moves against Colombia over alleged drug ties and suggested Cuba appeared "ready to fall" without Venezuelan oil revenue.

China condemned the moves as "unilateral hegemonic bullying" and demanded Maduro's release, calling the operation a "blatant violation of international law." Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva labeled it "an extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community." The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday.

Rodríguez, sworn in as interim president by Venezuela's Supreme Court on Saturday, initially struck a defiant tone, demanding Maduro's release as the "sole president." She later issued a statement expressing willingness to work with the U.S. on a "cooperation program," deeming it deserving of "peace and dialogue, not war."