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