US Tightens Grip on Venezuela as Delcy Rodríguez Moves to Sell Oil to Washington

Overview

• Interim president Delcy Rodríguez signaled readiness to negotiate crude sales to the US, with PDVSA confirming talks to export oil under existing commercial channels.
• Washington asserted it will control Venezuelan oil sales and revenue flows indefinitely, announced seizures of tankers tied to sanctioned crude, and cited an allocation of up to 50 million barrels.
• President Donald Trump said US supervision of Venezuela and its oil could last well beyond a year and plans to meet US oil companies about opportunities created by the takeover.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailed a three-step plan focused on stabilization, market access for Western firms during recovery, and a later transition to elections without a defined timetable.
• Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported 100 deaths and injuries to Maduro and Cilia Flores during the raid, while reports from Caracas describe expanded checkpoints, detentions, and limited public celebration; Brazil’s government condemned the US action as a sovereignty violation as online debate there skewed toward pro-intervention engagement.