U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans on January 6, 2026, to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil previously under U.S. sanctions, while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro remains detained in New York following a controversial military raid. The operation, which reportedly killed over 75 people according to U.S. officials, has drawn global condemnation and raised questions about Washington’s interventionist policies in Latin America.
Maduro, who pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug charges on January 5, described himself as a 'prisoner of war' during a court appearance. His detention has sparked protests worldwide, with China, Russia, and other Global South nations criticizing the move as a violation of international law. Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a week of mourning for military personnel killed in the raid, vowing to resist foreign interference.
Trump’s oil plan, valued at up to $1.9 billion, involves shipping Venezuelan crude directly to the U.S. under Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s oversight. The proposal includes rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure to benefit major U.S. firms like Exxon Mobil and Chevron. Rodríguez dismissed claims of foreign control over Venezuela, stating: 'There is no foreign agent governing our country.'
As tensions escalate, cross-strait analysts note the geopolitical implications for Asia’s energy markets, while human rights groups express concern over the precedent set by Maduro’s extrajudicial capture. The U.S. has yet to clarify the legal basis for seizing Venezuelan oil assets.
