U.S. officials say the Trump administration plans to control Venezuela's oil indefinitely in order to force the country to act in America's interests.
Energy Secretary Wright said the U.S. would market stored Venezuelan oil first and then sell future production indefinitely, with revenues deposited into accounts controlled by the U.S.President Donald Trump has also announced that Venezuela will only purchase “American-made” products with the money made from its oil deal with America.
The U.S. seized two sanctioned Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday in an operation that also involved the British armed forces. The Ministry of Defence said the U.S. asked Britain for assistance, and RAF surveillance aircraft and a Royal Navy support ship took part in the seizure.
The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. military special forces, bearing a judicial seizure warrant, apprehended the Marinera crude oil tanker, which had refused to be boarded last month before switching to Russia's flag, officials said.
The U.S. Coast Guard also intercepted a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil, the Panama-flagged M Sophia, near the northeast coast of South America.
Read MoreBritain is now helping Trump play Big Man in the Atlantic with seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker
Rubio downplays threat of military invasion of Greenland and instead pushes plans to buy the island
Key Points
- Trump says US oversight of Venezuela could last years
- All we know about blacklisted supertanker seized by US
- US says it will control Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely
- British armed forces helped US seizure of oil tanker
- US military confirms second Venezuela-linked vessel apprehended
- Russia condemns U.S. seizure of oil tanker Marinera
Trump says US oversight of Venezuela could last years
08:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump has said that "only time will tell" how long the U.S. will maintain oversight of Venezuela.
When asked by the New York Times if it would be three months, six months, a year, or longer, Trump said: "I would say much longer."
Watch: British military troops return to RAF base after helping U.S. seize oil tanker
07:59 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTrump demands massive increase to defense spending budget
07:47 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Trump wants to increase next year’s military budget to $1.5 trillion, in what would be the largest jump ever in defense spending, up from this year’s $901 billion allocation.
In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, the president said the windfall would help bolster U.S. forces during these “very troubled and dangerous times.” In recent days, the White House has pursued military action in Venezuela and across the Caribbean, and has threatened Greenland, Colombia and Mexico.
“This will allow us to build the ‘Dream Military’ that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe,” the president wrote in his post.
Josh Marcus reports.
Trump wants huge defense budget hike to combat ‘very troubled and dangerous times’
Venezuela says 100 killed in U.S. attack
07:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarVenezuela's interior minister Diosdado Cabello has claimed that at least 100 people died in the U.S. attack over the weekend to seize sitting president Nicolas Maduro.
Caracas had not previously released a death toll, but the army later published a list naming 23 soldiers killed.
Venezuelan officials said a significant portion of Maduro’s security detail was killed “in cold blood,” while Cuba reported that 32 of its military and intelligence personnel in Venezuela were killed.
Watch: US vows to control Venezuela’s oil ‘indefinitely’
07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussia condemns U.S. seizure of oil tanker Marinera
06:25 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussia said on Wednesday that the U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic was a violation of maritime law.
"In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states," the transport ministry said in a statement.
It said contact with the vessel, the Marinera, had been lost after U.S. naval forces boarded it.
A senior Russian lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, Andrei Klishas, said the seizure was an act of outright piracy, the TASS state news agency reported.
The U.S. said on Wednesday it had seized a Russian-flagged, Venezuela-linked tanker as part of president Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Caracas' socialist government to become its ally.
Britain is now helping Trump play Big Man in the Atlantic with seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker
06:12 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarBritish RAF spy planes and submarine hunters circled above as US special forces boarded an empty Russian-flagged Venezuelan oil tanker in the north Atlantic in an expensive performance verging on satire.
The Marinera was chased across the oceans, switched its nationality to Russian mid-journey, painted Moscow’s flag on its side and chugged along shadowed by one of Vladimir Putin’s submarines.
But the elite sailors beneath the sea offered the ageing tanker no real protection. And while the Kremlin has loudly condemned Donald Trump’s abduction of Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, the Marinera’s voyage did not end with nautical fisticuffs between two nuclear powers.
The seizure of the oil tanker Marinera and Britain’s role in it is an embarrassing farce, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley on the Venezuelan-Colombian border
Britain is now helping Trump play Big Man in the Atlantic with oil tanker raid
Russia sent submarine to escort oil tanker before U.S. seizure
06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussia reportedly deployed a submarine and other naval assets to escort an empty, rusting oil tanker, which was later seized by the U.S.
The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1, has spent more than two weeks trying to evade a U.S. crackdown on sanctioned tankers near Venezuela.
It failed to dock and load oil, but despite being empty, the U.S. Coast Guard pursued it into the Atlantic as part of efforts to disrupt a shadow fleet that ferries illicit oil worldwide, including black-market crude sold by Russia.
Alarmed by U.S. seizures of tankers carrying its illicit oil, Russia made the unusual move of allowing the vessel to register without inspection or formalities, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Moscow had asked Washington to stop pursuing the tanker, according to three U.S. officials. On Tuesday, the Russian foreign ministry said it was monitoring the situation “with concern,” according to state news agency RIA.
The weeks-long chase across the Atlantic ended on Wednesday morning when the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. military special forces, bearing a judicial seizure warrant, apprehended the Marinera crude oil tanker.
In pics: Oil tankers seized by the U.S.
05:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar All we know about blacklisted supertanker seized by US
05:21 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarU.S. forces have seized a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker being escorted by Russian naval ships in the North Atlantic, days after the dramatic capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
The military and Coast Guard intercepted the Marinera tanker on Wednesday in waters north west of Scotland, after a two-week chase.
The vessel had evaded a U.S. blockade of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela, a measure the administration had implemented shortly before an elite unit seized Maduro in the early hours of Saturday.
Alex Croft reports.
Oil blockades ‘outright piracy’: All we know about blacklisted tanker seized by US
U.S. to exit dozens of international organisations
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from 66 organizations, agencies and commissions, marking the country further retreating from global cooperation.
The order follows Trump's instruction for his administration to review participation in and funding for all international organisations, including those affiliated with the UN.
Most of the targets are U.N.-related agencies, commissions and advisory panels that focus on climate, labour and other issues that this administration has categorised as catering to diversity and "woke" initiatives.
Trump's decision to withdraw from organisations that foster cooperation among nations to address global challenges comes as his administration launched military efforts in Venezuela and issued threats to Greenland and other nations, which have rattled allies and adversaries alike.
Trump invites Colombian president to White House
04:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarU.S. president Donald Trump has abruptly changed his tone about his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, saying that the two had exchanged a friendly phone call and that he'd invited the leader of the South American country to meet at the White House.
"It was a Great Honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had," Trump posted on Truth Social.
"I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future."
US military could be deployed in Venezuela to protect workers
04:10 , Mike BediganWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US military could be deployed in Venezuela to help protect oil workers sent there by American oil companies.
Asked about how the government could reassure the US oil companies that their workers would be safe, Leavitt confirmed that troops may be involved.
“The president, of course, reserves the right to use the military if necessary,” she said.
US says it will control Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely
04:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarU.S. officials have claimed that the Trump administration needs to control Venezuela's oil sales and revenue indefinitely to stabilize that country's economy, rebuild its oil sector and ensure it acts in America's interests.
The comments reflect the importance of crude oil to President Donald Trump's strategy in Venezuela after U.S. forces ousted the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, in a raid on the capital Caracas on Saturday.
"We need to have that leverage and that control of those oil sales to drive the changes that simply must happen in Venezuela," U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright said at the Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference in Miami.
He said the revenues would be used to stabilize Venezuela's economy and eventually to repay oil majors Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips for losses when their assets were nationalized by former President Hugo Chavez nearly two decades ago.
U.S. vice president JD Vance said that controlling Venezuela's oil meant controlling the country.
"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; you're not allowed to sell it if you can't serve America's national interest," he told the Fox News.
UK armed forces helped US seizure of oil tanker
03:37 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe British army supported the US seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic yesterday, the Ministry of Defence said.
The U.S. seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean, one sailing under Russia's flag called the Marinera, as part of president Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas.
After capturing Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a Saturday military raid on Caracas, the U.S. is escalating its blockade of vessels that are under sanctions and going to and from the South American country, a member of the OPEC oil producers group.
The UK MoD said the US asked Britain for assistance, and RAF surveillance aircraft and a Royal Navy support ship, the RFA Tideforce, took part in the operation.
Defence secretary John Healey said the action was "in full compliance with international law", adding the UK "will not stand by as malign activity increases on the high seas".
Chevron in talks with US for expanded Venezuela oil license
03:36 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil producer Chevron is in talks with the U.S. government to expand a key license to operate in Venezuela so it can increase crude exports to its own refineries and sell to other buyers, according to a Reuters report.
The talks come as Washington and Caracas progress in talks to supply up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. and president Donald Trump presses American oil companies to invest in the South American country's energy sector.
U.S. officials have said this week that proceeds from the Venezuelan oil supply, which is expected to help state energy company PDVSA drain inventories amid a severe oil blockade, will go to a U.S.-overseen trustee. Proceeds are meant to finance supplies of American goods to Venezuela.
Chevron is the only U.S. oil major operating in Venezuela, which it does under an authorization from the U.S. government that exempts it from sanctions on the country.
As part of its sanction-hardening campaign to weaken Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Trump administration in July put additional restrictions on Chevron's license.
Those restrictions reduced the volume of Venezuelan crude the company is exporting to the U.S. to some 100,000 barrels per day in December from 250,000 bpd earlier this year.
All money from sale of Venezuelan oil will 'settle in US accounts' first, White House says
03:30 , Mike BediganThe White House has said that all proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan oil will “settle” in US bank accounts to “guarantee the legitimacy” before being disbursed back the South American nation.
“The United States government has already begun marketing Venezuelan crude oil in the global marketplace for the benefit of the United States,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday.
“All proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude oil and products will first settle in U.S. accounts at globally recognized banks to guarantee the legitimacy and integrity of the ultimate distribution of proceeds, and those funds will be disbursed for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people, at the discretion of the United States government.”
‘Chaos is coming’: Venezuela primed for violent insurgency following US intervention, experts warn
03:00 , Mike BediganVenezuela could face violent instability following the shock capture of President Nicolas Maduro by the US military, experts have warned.
While Maduro’s vice president Delcy Rodriguez was quickly sworn in with US-backing, there are fears a political vacuum sets the stage for a power struggle among multiple heavily armed factions that could spark an insurgency.
Maira Butt has more:
Venezuela primed for violent insurgency following US intervention, experts warn
Recap: Why has the US seized a Venezuelan oil tanker?
02:30 , Mike BediganThe art of the drill: Trump considers subsidies to push oil companies to drill in Venezuela
02:00 , Mike BediganAfter deposing Venezuela’s president and taking over the country’s enormous oil reserves, President Donald Trump is floating the idea of using taxpayer funding to incentivize U.S.-based oil companies to expand operations there.
Since the military operation that led to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Trump said he would like the U.S.’s “very large” oil companies to “spend billions of dollars” to fix Venezuela’s broken oil infrastructure.
Read more from Ariana Baio:
Trump considers subsidies to push oil companies to drill in Venezuela
U.S. Energy Sec says fossil fuel giants will be paid back for losses in Venezuela
01:30 , Mike BediganU.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday that revenue from Venezuelan oil sales will be used to stabilize the country's economy first, before repaying fossil fuel giants such as Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips for their losses there.
Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips were major producers in the country before their projects were nationalized by former President Hugo Chavez nearly two decades ago.
Oil prices fall again as tankers seized by U.S.
00:55 , ReutersOil prices fell again on Wednesday as investors digested Trump's deal to import up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude.
The move would lift supplies to the world's largest oil consumer.
Brent crude futures were down 77 cents, or 1.3 percent, to trade at $59.94 a barrel by 1:58 p.m. EST (6.58 p.m. GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $1.14, or 2 percent, to $55.99 a barrel.
Both benchmarks slipped more than $1 a barrel during the previous trading session, with market participants expecting ample global supply this year.
The deal between Washington and Caracas initially could require the rerouting of cargoes that were bound for China, sources told Reuters.
Watch: The truth about how many drugs in the US come from Venezuela
00:25 , Mike BediganOil giant in talks with Trump administration to expand Venezuela operating license
00:10 , Mike BediganAmerican oil producer Chevron is in discussions with the US government to expand its operating licence in Venezuela, aiming to increase crude exports to its own refineries and potentially sell to other buyers.
These talks unfold as Washington and Caracas advance negotiations to supply up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the United States.
Read more here:
Oil giant in talks with US government to expand Venezuela operating license
Recap: Oil blockades, a two week chase and ‘outright piracy’: All we know about blacklisted supertanker seized by US
Wednesday 7 January 2026 23:52 , Mike BediganEarly Wednesday, U.S. forces seized a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker being escorted by Russian naval ships in the North Atlantic, days after the dramatic capture of President Nicolas Maduro from his home.
The military and Coast Guard intercepted the Marinera tanker in waters north west of Scotland, after a two-week chase.
The vessel had evaded a U.S. blockade of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela, a measure the administration had implemented shortly before an elite unit seized Maduro in the early hours of Saturday.
Here’s a recap, in case you missed it:
Oil blockades ‘outright piracy’: All we know about blacklisted tanker seized by US
Trump says Venezuela will only purchase 'American Made' products with oil money
Wednesday 7 January 2026 23:33 , Mike BediganDonald Trump has announced the Venezuela will only be purchasing “American made” products with the money made from its deal with the U.S. over oil production.
“I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal,” the president wrote on Truth Social Wednesday evening.
“These purchases will include, among other things, American Agricultural Products, and American Made Medicines, Medical Devices, and Equipment to improve Venezuela’s Electric Grid and Energy Facilities.
“In other words, Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States of America as their principal partner – A wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
House Dems question next steps on Venezuela following briefing
Wednesday 7 January 2026 23:20 , Mike BediganDuring a classified briefing on Venezuela Wednesday, House Democrats raised concerns about the Trump administration's actions and the next steps to support the country.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was "not clear what comes next,” with regard to the running of Venezuela, despite praising the execution of the military operation.
House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks agreed, saying he had heard "no plan" for running Venezuela.
Others, including Jason Crow, of Wisconsin, and Seth Moulton, of Massachusetts, claimed that Trump administration officials had not been able to answer basic questions including about timelines and costs.
ICYMI: Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil
Wednesday 7 January 2026 22:50 , Mike BediganWriting on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that the interim Venezuelan authorities would be turning over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the US.
“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,” the president wrote.
“This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!
“I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Florida rep says he has spoken to Venezuelan opposition leader
Wednesday 7 January 2026 22:20 , Mike BediganRepublican Rick Scott has backed the Trump administration’s seizure of the Venezuelan-linked sanctioned oil tankers.
“Presidents and presidents and presidents have allowed our own backdoor to be taken over by Russians and Chinese and North Koreans, and there is Hezbollah in Iran,” the Florida rep told reporters Wednesday.
“And finally, we have a president that gives a damn. So he’s going to use the power he’s got.”
Scott also said he had spoken to Venezuelan leader of the opposition Maria Machado Tuesday.
“I think what they’re trying to do is make sure there is a transition that doesn’t end up in, bloodshed,” he said.
“And so I think we’ll get to, a free and fair elections. But in the meantime, Delcy Rodriguez is either going to cooperate or she’s going to end up in prison or something else.”
Rodriguez was sworn in as the country’s interim president Monday.
Watch: UK will not stand by as 'malign activity increases' at sea, Healey vows after Venezuela tanker seized
Wednesday 7 January 2026 22:00 , Mike BediganMore details on the second seized tanker
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:43 , Mike BediganUS Homeland Security boss Kristi Noem identified the second tanker seized by the US Wednesday as the Motor Tanker Sophia.
A ship named M Sophia is on the U.S. sanctions list for moving illicit cargos of oil from Russia.
The ship is currently “running dark,” not having transmitted location data since July. Tankers involved in smuggling often turn off their transponders or broadcast inaccurate data to hide their true locations.
Samir Madani, the co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, said his organization had used satellite imagery and surface-level photos to document that at least 16 tankers had left the Venezuelan coast since Saturday, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.
The M/T Sophia is one of those ships, Madani said, citing a recent photo showing the tanker located in the waters near Jose Terminal, Venezuela’s main oil export hub.
Trump’s Energy Department outlines new policies for Venezuelan oil
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:23 , The Associated PressDonald Trump’s administration is “selectively” removing sanctions to enable the shipping and sale of Venezuelan oil to markets worldwide, according to an outline of the policies published Wednesday by the Energy Department.
The oil sales are slated to begin immediately with the sale of 30 million to 50 million barrels from the South American country, and “will continue indefinitely,” the outline says.
Proceeds will settle in U.S. controlled accounts at “globally recognized banks” and then be disbursed to the U.S. and Venezuelan populations at the “discretion” of the Trump administration, it says.
Venezuelan oil company says it is negotiating with Trump administration
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:57 , Mike BediganA Venezuelan state-owned oil company says it's negotiating with the Trump administration to let it sell the country's oil, according to The Associated Press.
Further details about the company or the negotiations were not immediately available.
UK Defence Sec says tanker had 'long history of nefarious activity'
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:44 , Mike BediganIn his statement to the House of Commons, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the vessel had "refused to comply with the US's exercise of its sanctions jurisdiction on 20 December, after which the US Coast Guard vessel Monroe pursued the ship across the Atlantic.”
"This is a sanctioned, stateless vessel which carries a long history of nefarious activity and shares close links with both Iran and Russia,” he said.
UK Defense Sec hails 'huge courage' of US forces in tanker capture
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:05 , Mike BediganThe UK's defence secretary John Healey said US forces showed "huge courage" during an operation to seize the Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel carrying oil in breach of international sanctions.
Speaking to the House of Commons, Mr Healey said the UK supported the operation at the request of President Trump as part of "global efforts to crack down on sanctions-busting and shadow shipping activity".
Earlier on Wednesday the Ministry of Defense said the supply ship RFA Tideforce and RAF surveillance aircraft assisted the US operation to seize the tanker, also known as the Bella 1.
"The operation is ongoing but the Bella 1 is now under control of US forces, who demonstrated huge courage in dangerous and deteriorating Atlantic conditions.
"We supported this action to achieve three objectives: to enforce counter-Iran sanctions, tackle the global security threat posed by expanding shadowy maritime activity and to reinforce British homeland security in this era of rising threats."
Trump on collision course with Putin after US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:45 , Mike BediganUS forces have seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic in a dramatic move that could put Donald Trump on a collision course with Vladimir Putin.
The UK later revealed British armed forces provided support to the US’s capture of the Marinera, a Venezuelan-linked vessel previously known as Bella-1, as it travelled north and eastwards through the waters between Iceland and Scotland on Wednesday.
Tara Cobham has more:
Trump on collision course with Putin after US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker
Russia demands humane treatment of its citizens on the seized tanker
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:33 , The Associated PressThe Russian Foreign Ministry said it’s “closely following” reports about U.S. forces boarding the Marinera tanker and that it has information about Russian nationals among the crew.
“Taking into account the incoming information about Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the American side ensure humane and dignified treatment of them, strictly respect their rights and interests, and not hinder their speedy return to their homeland,” the ministry said in a statement carried by Russia’s state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti earlier Wednesday.
Separately, senior Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas on Wednesday decried the U.S. action against the tanker as “blatant piracy” in an online statement.
Map of Marinera tanker seizure
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:24 , Mike Bedigan Hegseth defends oil tanker seizures
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:09 , Mike BediganEarlier Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that the “leverage” of seizing sanctioned or stateless oil tankers out of Venezuela will continue.
“Our military is prepared to continue this,” Hegseth said. “The president when he speaks, he means it. He’s not messing around. We are an administration of action to advance our interests, and that is on full display.”
The comments came after Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed lawmakers about the US’s recent military action in Venezuela.
Watch: Why has the US seized a Venezuelan oil tanker?
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:00 , Mike BediganWhite House says crew of Marinera subject to prosecution
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:24 , Mike BediganWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday the crew of the Russian-flagged, Venezuela-linked oil tanker that was seized by the United States is subject to prosecution.
"The vessel had a judicial seizure order...so that means the crew is now subject to prosecution for any applicable violation of federal law, and they will be brought to the United States for such prosecution, if necessary," Leavitt said.
Trump is ‘dictating’ policy to interim leadership of Venezuela after Maduro capture
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:07 , Mike BediganThe White House is still claiming to be in charge of Venezuela’s government despite assertions from the country’s newly-minted acting president that her government is continuing to run the country independently after U.S. forces seized Nicolas Maduro from a safe house and brought him to a New York City jail over the weekend.
Read more from Andrew Feinberg here:
Trump is ‘dictating’ policy to interim leadership of Venezuela after Maduro capture
Oil blockades, a two week chase and ‘outright piracy’: All we know about blacklisted supertanker seized by US
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:57 , Mike BediganU.S. forces have seized a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker being escorted by Russian naval ships in the North Atlantic, days after the dramatic capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
The military and Coast Guard intercepted the Marinera tanker Wednesday, in waters north west of Scotland, after a two-week chase.
Here’s everything we know about the situation so far:
Oil blockades ‘outright piracy’: All we know about blacklisted tanker seized by US
Watch: Rubio insists Trump admin is not 'winging it' on Venezuela policy
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:47 , Mike BediganAnalysis: Britain is now helping Trump play Big Man in the Atlantic with seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:35 , Mike BediganThe seizure of the oil tanker Marinera and Britain’s role in it is an embarrassing farce, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley on the Venezuelan-Colombian border.
Read more here:
Britain is now helping Trump play Big Man in the Atlantic with oil tanker raid
Leavitt: 'American dominance is going to continue'
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:23 , Mike BediganKaroline Leavitt refused to confirm details of classified briefings to lawmakers, in which it was alleged that Venezuelan interim authorities had been ordered to cut ties with nations including China and Cuba.
“The administration has made it quite clear to the interim authorities in Venezuela that this is the western hemisphere and American dominance is going to continue.”
Leavitt: The administration has made it quite clear to the interim authorities in Venezuela that this is the western hemisphere and American dominance is going to continue. pic.twitter.com/7I8GwgsdDg
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 7, 2026
US military could be deployed in Venezuela to protect workers
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:13 , Mike BediganWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US military could be deployed in Venezuela to help protect oil workers sent there by American oil companies.
Asked about how the government could reassure the US oil companies that their workers would be safe, Leavitt confirmed that troops may be involved.
“The president, of course, reserves the right to use the military if necessary,” she said.
All money from sale of Venezuelan oil will 'settle in US accounts' first, White House says
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:08 , Mike BediganThe White House has said that all proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan oil will “settle” in US bank accounts to “guarantee the legitimacy” before being disbursed back the South American nation.
“The United States government has already begun marketing Venezuelan crude oil in the global marketplace for the benefit of the United States,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday.
“All proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude oil and products will first settle in U.S. accounts at globally recognized banks to guarantee the legitimacy and integrity of the ultimate distribution of proceeds, and those funds will be disbursed for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people, at the discretion of the United States government.”
US has 'maximum leverage' over Venezuela, White House says
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:03 , Mike BediganWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US has “maximum leverage” over Venezuela, and that Donald Trump was pursuing his “peace through strength” foreign policy.
Leavitt began her remarks by noting how “the skill, the might of the United States military... is on full display to the rest of the world.”
Asked about the relationship between the Trump administration and the interim authorities in Venezuela, led by Delcy Rodriguez, she added that the two sides were in “close correspondence.”
“We obviously have max leverage with the interim authorities,” Leavitt said.
Rubio reiterates that oil sales will be used to help Venezuelan people
Wednesday 7 January 2026 16:54 , Mike BediganIn remarks to reporters Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that money made from the sale of Venezuelan oil would be used to help the nation’s people.
“Step one is stabilizing Venezuela,” Rubio said.
“We will control how money from the sale of Venezuelan oil will be dispersed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people.”
Rubio added that the operations in Venezuela would not cost the US any money and that ultimately, it would be up to the Venezuelan people to “transform their country.”
US Secretary of State denies administration is 'winging it' with Venzuela
Wednesday 7 January 2026 16:45 , Mike BediganUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied claims America is “winging it” with regard to operations in Venezuela.
When pressed about claims, made by some senators earlier Wednesday, Rubio said: “I used to be a senator too. That's what you always say when it's the other party.
“The bottom line is we’ve gone into great detail with them about the planning... it’s not just saying or speculating what’s going to happen – it’s already happening.”
Q: Some senators in that briefing say you're winging in, that there's no plan for Venezuela going forwar--
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 7, 2026
MARCO RUBIO: I used to be a senator too. That's what you always say when it's the other party. pic.twitter.com/IqwZK7usST
