U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled plans to deploy American oil companies to Venezuela while confirming the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, marking a dramatic escalation in Washington’s involvement in the South American nation. The developments come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in early 2026.
Oil Industry Overhaul and Military Posture
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago on January 2, Trump declared he would permit U.S. energy firms to “fix infrastructure and start making money for the country,” framing the move as both an economic opportunity and strategic leverage. The announcement follows years of strained relations between Washington and Caracas, with the U.S. maintaining sanctions against Venezuela’s oil sector since 2019.
Maduro’s Capture and Transition Plans
Trump confirmed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained during a military operation, posting an image of Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima on his Truth Social platform. “We’re going to run the country until we ensure a safe, proper transition,” Trump stated, though details about interim governance remain unclear. Analysts suggest this could reshape energy markets and regional power dynamics as of January 2026.
