The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has put forward a series of radical conditions for Venezuela to resume the extraction and marketing of its oil.
At the heart of this demand, revealed exclusively by , is the total control of Venezuelan oil in exchange for the support of the United States, and a break in economic relations with Cuba and three other international allies.
According to sources familiar with Washington's plans, the White House has informed Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, that her government must sever ties with China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba as a necessary step for allowing the reactivation of its oil sector.
“The country must expel China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties,” three individuals familiar with the administration's plan told the referenced media outlet.
In addition, Venezuela would have to agree to partner exclusively with the United States in oil production and prioritize that country in the sale of its heavy crude.
In practical terms, this demand would imply the almost complete subordination of Venezuelan energy policy to U.S. interests.
A strategy of maximum pressure: Full tanks and the threat of insolvency
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, presented the strategy in a private briefing with U.S. lawmakers, arguing that the United States has the power to compel Caracas to meet the conditions due to the precarious logistical and financial situation currently facing the South American country.
“United States can force Venezuela's hand because its current tankers are full,” Rubio said, adding that Caracas would only have a few weeks before becoming financially insolvent if it fails to sell its reserves.
At this pressure is added the statement from Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who confirmed in an interview with ABC News that the U.S. plan is directly dependent on control over Venezuelan oil, although he ruled out military intervention for the time being.
“The government intends to control oil, taking charge of the ships, the tankers, and none will go to Havana,” Wicker stated.
"And until they start to move - we hope to the free market - there are no more tankers to fill, because they are completely full," he added.
Wicker added that Venezuela lacks available ships to transport additional crude, and that the only viable option would be to market it under U.S. control.
Trump promises to control oil revenues: “For the people of Venezuela and the U.S.”
In line with this strategy, President Trump publicly announced on Tuesday that the "interim authorities" of Venezuela would deliver between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States for sale at market price.
"I will monitor those funds to ensure they are used for the benefit of the Venezuelan people and the United States," Trump stated.
This announcement reinforces the president's intention to directly intervene in the Venezuelan economy, without delegating control of revenues to the authorities in Caracas.
This is in addition to a previous warning in which Trump announced a “total and complete blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.”
In response to questions from the press regarding the scope of this measure, he replied tersely: "It's just a blockade. I'm not going to let anyone through who shouldn't be passing."
International reactions: China denounces "intimidation" and the OAS warns of interference
The international response has not been delayed.
China, one of the powers directly affected by the U.S. demands, strongly condemned Washington's stance.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, described Trump's approach as "a typical case of intimidation."
“Venezuela is a sovereign country and enjoys full and permanent sovereignty over its natural resources and all economic activities within its territory,” asserted Mao.
"The assertion that Venezuela should manage its energy resources according to a 'America First' approach severely violates international law," he added
Beijing reiterated that the interests of China and other countries in Venezuela must be respected, and defended bilateral cooperation based on "mutual respect, equality, and reciprocal benefit."
In parallel, during an extraordinary session of the Organization of American States (OAS), countries such as Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Brazil condemned the U.S. position, stating that this type of pressure jeopardizes the stability and sovereignty of the region.
As of the publication of this note, the Cuban regime has not commented on the condition imposed by the U.S. on Venezuela, which would further worsen the critical situation that Cuba is already facing.
And Caracas? Official silence so far
So far, the provisional government of Venezuela, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has not issued an official response to the conditions presented by Washington.
The silence contrasts with the magnitude of the demands, which would directly affect foreign relations, export revenues, and the model of international cooperation that has sustained the Venezuelan regime in recent years.
The plan revealed by ABC News and confirmed by various sources, including Senator Roger Wicker, highlights a strategic escalation of economic pressure by the Trump administration.
The imposed conditions aim not only to control the flow of Venezuelan oil but also to completely reshape Caracas' geopolitical alliances.
If Venezuela decides to meet the demands, it would be renouncing decades of cooperation with Cuba, China, Russia, and Iran.
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