WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump warned that without swift U.S. intervention, China or Russia would have seized control of Venezuela’s vast energy reserves. Speaking at the White House to leaders of American and international oil companies, Trump emphasized the strategic rebuild of Venezuela’s oil sector to counter foreign influence.
‘The effort to revive Venezuela’s oil fields under U.S. leadership is all about keeping China and Russia out,’ Trump stated firmly. He added, ‘If we hadn’t stepped in on time, they’d already be there, dominating those resources.’
Trump highlighted America’s readiness to engage in business both domestically and in Venezuela, but insisted that control over oil production must align with U.S. interests. ‘We’re open for business in America and in Venezuela too,’ he declared.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed these concerns, noting how Venezuela had become a hub for adversarial powers under the previous regime. ‘It was against our security interests to have a narco-trafficking figure controlling a nation in our backyard,’ Rubio said.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright pointed to the spillover effects of Venezuela’s collapse, including rampant corruption and economic ruin that have devastated its people and rippled across borders.
Trump detailed a military strategy focused on pressure without prolonged conflict. ‘We used our military might not to fire shots, but to choke off Venezuela’s oil supply,’ he explained. This approach, he said, mirrors U.S. tactics to curb Chinese and Russian expansion in key regions worldwide.
Latin America has long been a geopolitical chessboard for the U.S., where energy security intersects with global power plays. Trump’s comments underscore a renewed commitment to safeguarding these interests against rising competitors.