U.S. vice president says Venezuela can only sell oil if it serves U.S. interests

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said in remarks set to air on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime that Venezuela can only sell its oil if those sales “serve the interests of the United States.” He framed this policy as part of broader U.S. efforts to exert control over Venezuela’s financial and energy resources following a recent U.S. military operation that ousted President Nicolás Maduro.

Vance told the show that the United States now “controls the energy resources” of Venezuela and that Caracas must comply with U.S. conditions if it wants to export oil. “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,” he said in excerpts released before the interview aired.

Context of U.S. strategy
These comments come amid a broader U.S. push to manage Venezuelan crude production and distribution. The U.S. has seized tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports, eased some sanctions to facilitate sales, and is negotiating deals to market hundreds of millions of barrels under U.S. oversight. The aim, according to U.S. officials including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is to use control over Venezuelan oil sales as leverage to stabilize the country’s economy and rebuild its energy sector while ensuring the revenue aligns with U.S. interests.

Domestic and international reaction
The U.S. stance has sparked debate, with some critics describing it as effectively dictating Venezuela’s economic sovereignty, while supporters argue it is necessary leverage to foster political and economic change in the region.