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US Authorizes Oil Service Companies to Work in Venezuela

Is U.S. action in Venezuela a resource grab exploiting crisis or decisive leadership that weakens Putin?
US Authorizes Oil Service Companies to Work in Venezuela
Above: The Amuay refinery in Venezuela on Jan. 23. Image credit: Jesus Vargas/DPA/Picture Alliance/Getty Images

The Spin

Anti-Trump narrative

Controlling Venezuelan oil under the guise of stabilization is nothing more than a resource grab dressed up as policy. The administration empowers the same regime it once condemned while sidelining the democratic opposition, creating a corrupt payment system through Qatar that lacks independent oversight and risks repeating Oil-for-Food failures. Blaming sanctions consequences on China while reversing to pre-sanctions dynamics — except now with direct U.S. control — exposes this as exploitation, not liberation.

Pro-Trump narrative

Decisive action in Venezuela demonstrates American strength and directly undermines Russia's global reach by dismantling the shadow fleet financing Putin's war. Seizing illicit tankers and enforcing real sanctions consequences — including tariffs on countries buying Russian oil — weakens Moscow's war chest, while expanding Venezuelan oil access will drive down prices and constrain Putin's revenue.

Metaculus Prediction


Public Figures


The Controversies



Go Deeper


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO



© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0