Overview
- Reuters-cited reports said the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela intended to capture Nicolás Maduro.
- In a Fox News interview, President Donald Trump said the U.S. will be very strongly involved in Venezuela's oil industry through major American companies.
- Trump claimed Mexico is effectively run by criminal cartels rather than President Claudia Sheinbaum and argued that something must be done.
- He asserted he has a good relationship with Xi Jinping and said China would not oppose the U.S. shift in Venezuela and could benefit from oil access.
- U.S. Department of Energy data cited in the coverage note Venezuela holds about 17% of global oil reserves but produces far below capacity due to infrastructure limits and the heavy nature of much of its crude.