Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez launched a sharp attack on Donald Trump, accusing him of “energy greed” and of making what she described as false and misleading claims about drug trafficking and human rights abuses during the rule of her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro. Her remarks came amid escalating tensions over US involvement in Venezuela’s oil sector and followed Trump’s assertions that Washington was receiving full cooperation from Caracas.
Speaking before the Venezuelan Parliament, Rodríguez portrayed her country as a global energy power whose natural wealth has made it a target. She said Venezuela’s vast oil resources had brought not only economic potential but also deep political challenges, arguing that what she called the “energy greed of the North” was fundamentally driven by a desire to control Venezuela’s natural assets rather than any concern for democracy or human rights.
Rodríguez’s comments were a direct response to Trump’s recent statements claiming that the US enjoys complete cooperation from Venezuela’s current leadership and would maintain effective control over the country and its oil reserves for years to come. Trump went further by declaring that Venezuela was giving the United States “everything that we feel is necessary,” framing the relationship as one in which Washington holds decisive leverage.
Rejecting the idea of any one-sided or imposed arrangement, Rodríguez made it clear that Venezuela would not accept agreements dictated solely by US interests. She said the country remained open to energy partnerships only if they were based on clearly defined commercial terms and ensured mutual benefit, stressing that cooperation must be balanced and transparent rather than exploitative.
Earlier, Rodríguez had defended Venezuela’s decision to reopen parts of its oil market to the United States despite the deep strain in bilateral relations. She acknowledged that Washington’s attempt to remove Maduro from power had left what she described as a “stain” on ties between the two countries. Nevertheless, she argued that trading with the US was neither unusual nor irregular and should be seen as a pragmatic economic decision rather than a political concession.
Tensions have intensified in recent days after US forces seized two sanctioned oil tankers and American authorities announced plans to oversee all future sales of Venezuelan crude. Under these arrangements, the United States would manage Venezuela’s global petroleum transactions, a move widely seen as a major escalation in Washington’s efforts to exert control over the country’s most critical economic sector.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that his administration now exercises control over Venezuela’s oil revenues following Maduro’s ouster. On Tuesday, he said Venezuela would supply between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. According to Trump, the oil would be sold at market prices, with revenues initially placed under US management.
Describing the arrangement as mutually beneficial, Trump said the deal represented a “win-win” for both nations. He claimed that his administration would oversee the worldwide distribution of Venezuelan oil and return a portion of the proceeds to Caracas, presenting the plan as a form of economic restructuring rather than outright appropriation.
Trump framed the deal as a strategic realignment, arguing that Venezuela’s decision to make the United States its principal commercial partner was both wise and beneficial for the people of both countries. He suggested that closer economic integration under US leadership would bring long-term stability and growth.
Echoing this position, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that all revenues from Venezuelan crude oil and petroleum products would initially be deposited in US-controlled accounts held at internationally recognised banks. She added that the funds would later be distributed at the discretion of the US government, with benefits ultimately flowing to both the American and Venezuelan people, underscoring Washington’s central role in managing Venezuela’s oil income.
