WASHINGTON: The United States has “maximum leverage” over Venezuela’s interim authorities following the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro and will “dictate” any decision they make, the White House said Wednesday.
“We’re continuing to be in close coordination with the interim authorities, and their decisions are going to continue to be dictated by the United States of America,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a briefing.
Leavitt said President Donald Trump will meet with US oil executives on Friday to discuss plans for Venezuela’s oil sector. She described the meeting as an opportunity for companies to explore “immense” prospects.
US seizes Venezuelan and Russian-flagged tankers
The US confirmed the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, which had evaded an earlier US attempt near Venezuela.
The vessel, formerly named Bella-1 and now renamed Marinera, had reportedly painted a Russian flag.
“This was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that has transported sanctioned oil. The vessel was deemed stateless after flying a false flag, and it had a judicial seizure order, and that’s why the crew will be subject to prosecution,” Leavitt said.
US forces also seized a second sanctioned tanker in the Caribbean Sea, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declared the blockade of Venezuelan oil “in full effect anywhere in the world.”
US officials said the tanker was part of a fleet carrying oil for countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran in violation of US sanctions.
Trump claims control over Venezuela
Since Saturday’s military operation, Trump has asserted that the United States will “run” Venezuela, including control of its critical oil industry.
He said tens of millions of barrels of Venezuelan crude will be shipped to US ports, with revenues potentially exceeding $2 billion. However, it was unclear whether Venezuela’s interim authorities had formally agreed to the plan.
Venezuela’s Interim president Delcy Rodriguez, a former close aide to Maduro, has expressed willingness to cooperate with the United States.
Russia condemns US seizure of tanker
Moscow strongly criticised the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker. Russia’s transport ministry said the vessel had received “temporary permission” to sail under the Russian flag on December 24.
The ministry added that US naval forces boarded the tanker in “the open sea, beyond the territorial waters of any state.”
“In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered under the jurisdiction of other states,” the ministry said.
Prior to the seizure, Russia’s foreign ministry described the heightened attention from US and NATO forces as “clearly disproportionate to its peaceful status.”
US outlines strategic moves
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington has detailed plans for Venezuela’s interim authorities.
“We’ve gone into great detail with them about the planning. It’s not just winging it,” he said.
Rubio also confirmed plans to meet Denmark next week following Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.
“I’ll be meeting with them next week,” he told reporters. Leavitt said Trump continues to consider diplomacy first but will not rule out military options.
Trump has framed Greenland as a national security priority to deter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic.
