President Donald Trump claimed the U.S. is receiving full cooperation from Venezuela's interim government and will control the country and its oil reserves for years to come. Trump, in an interview with the New York Times, stated that Caracas is giving Washington "everything that we feel is necessary" and that the U.S. would remain a political overlord there for an indefinite period.

"We will rebuild it in a very profitable way," Trump told the New York Times. "We’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil." When asked how long the White House would demand direct oversight of Venezuela, he responded, "I would say much longer" than a year.

These comments followed interim president Delcy Rodríguez's defense of plans to open up Venezuela's oil market.

The U.S. has long held a strategic interest in Venezuela, particularly due to its vast oil reserves, which are among the largest in the world. Washington has implemented sanctions against the Venezuelan government in recent years, citing concerns about human rights and democratic governance. These sanctions have significantly impacted Venezuela's oil production and economy.

The concept of "control" over a nation's resources raises complex questions of international law and sovereignty. International law generally recognizes a state's sovereign right to control its natural resources. However, interventions are sometimes justified under doctrines such as the "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P), though this typically applies in cases of mass atrocities, not resource control.

The implications of the U.S. exerting control over Venezuelan oil could be far-reaching. It could reshape global energy markets, alter geopolitical alliances, and impact the lives of millions of Venezuelans. The long-term effects would depend on the specific policies implemented and the reactions of other international actors.

Currently, Venezuela faces a severe economic crisis, with hyperinflation, shortages of food and medicine, and widespread poverty. The political situation remains volatile, with ongoing tensions between the government and opposition forces. The future of Venezuela and its oil reserves remains uncertain, pending further developments in the political and economic landscape.