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Donald Trump accused Venezuela of "illegally" taking US oil and vowed to reclaim it, signalling expanded military pressure as Democrats warn his tactics target regime change rather than anti-drug operations.
US President Donald Trump.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 18, 2025 05:49 IST
US President Donald Trump said that Washington wants to reclaim oil and energy rights in Venezuela that were “illegally taken,” insisting the US wants its assets returned. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said, "You remember, they took all of our energy rights. They took all of our oil from not that long ago, and we want it back, but they took it. They illegally took it."
He followed up on social media, claiming Venezuela was surrounded by the “largest armada in South American history,” which he said would continue expanding until Caracas hands back “stolen” oil and related assets.
Trump’s assertions come as US pressure on the Maduro government intensifies. Washington has accused Venezuela of failing to curb narcotics trafficking, and US media reports—including The New York Times—say Trump has authorised CIA covert operations in the country and may permit future military strikes on drug cartels.
Since August, the US has deployed additional military assets to the Caribbean and launched airstrikes on vessels it claims were smuggling drugs, culminating in an aircraft-carrier strike group entering the region in November.
The tough posture has triggered domestic backlash. Democratic lawmakers pushed the House to vote on resolutions prohibiting military action against Venezuela without congressional approval, arguing Trump is edging toward regime change. Republicans countered that limited strikes do not require authorisation.
Trump’s advisers have also framed a historical claim over Venezuelan oil. Stephen Miller argued that American innovation built the nation’s petroleum industry, an industry nationalised in 1976.
Later rule changes under Hugo Chavez pushed out firms like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, which subsequently won arbitration awards for seized assets. A US court has now ordered the sale of PdV-owned Citgo to help satisfy a USD 12 billion ConocoPhillips claim.
Trump has since announced a blockade on Venezuelan seaborne oil shipments. Caracas condemned the move and appealed to the UN, but Venezuela’s oil flows—especially to Cuba—have already slowed dramatically.
Democrats argue the campaign is no longer about drugs, but about oil and regime change. “Trump is provoking a new war right in our backyard,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks, warning of wider regional instability.
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Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
Dec 18, 2025
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