WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is taking steps to assert control over Venezuela’s oil industry after seizing two sanctioned tankers and announcing plans to partially lift certain sanctions to supervise the sale of Venezuelan petroleum worldwide.
According to the U.S. Energy Department, the only oil entering or leaving Venezuela will now move through approved channels in accordance with U.S. law and national security interests. These measures could give the United States greater influence over global oil supplies and pricing.
Vice President JD Vance said in an interview that the U.S. can “control” Venezuela’s financial resources by dictating where its oil can be sold.
“We control the energy resources, and we tell the regime, you’re allowed to sell the oil so long as you serve America’s national interest,” Vance said in a Fox News Channel interview.
He added, “And that’s how we exert incredible pressure on that country without wasting a single American life.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the oil from the seized tankers in the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea will be part of a deal announced by Trump, under which Venezuela would provide up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States.
“They understand that the only way they can move oil and generate revenue and not have economic collapse is if they cooperate and work with the United States,” Rubio told reporters.
The U.S. European Command confirmed that the merchant vessel Bella 1 was seized in the North Atlantic for violating U.S. sanctions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also reported that U.S. forces took control of the M Sophia in the Caribbean. These two ships join at least two others seized last month—the Skipper and the Centuries.
The Justice Department is investigating the crew of Bella 1 for failing to comply with Coast Guard orders. Attorney General Pam Bondi said criminal charges would be pursued against all responsible parties. Bella 1 had previously been sanctioned in 2024 for allegedly smuggling cargo for a company linked to Hezbollah, backed by Iran.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is selectively lifting some sanctions to allow the sale of Venezuelan oil globally. The initial sales, totaling 30 to 50 million barrels, will be deposited into U.S.-controlled accounts at globally recognized banks, with proceeds managed at the discretion of the U.S. government.
Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, said it is negotiating with the U.S. for the sale of crude oil. The company emphasized that the process will follow commercial norms, ensuring legality, transparency, and mutual benefit. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez called the arrangement “neither extraordinary nor irregular” and emphasized that Venezuela should maintain diverse international relations.
The U.S. plans to authorize the importation of oil field equipment and services to increase Venezuela’s oil production, currently around one million barrels per day. Investments in the electricity grid are also planned to improve production and living standards in a country struggling with economic collapse, rising prices, and reduced state subsidies.
In related developments, Trump softened his criticism of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, noting a recent friendly phone call and inviting him to the White House, following earlier accusations against Petro regarding drug trafficking.
Noem noted that the seized ships were part of a shadow fleet smuggling oil for countries under sanctions, including Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. The Marinera (formerly Bella 1) was tracked between Scotland and Iceland, with British military support providing surveillance. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey described the vessel as part of a “Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion fueling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine.”
Maritime tracking firm TankerTrackers.com reported at least 16 tankers left Venezuelan waters after Maduro’s ouster. The M Sophia, loaded with roughly 1.8 million barrels of crude oil, carried a cargo worth approximately $108 million at current market prices.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
