How does the U.S. military’s control over Venezuela—its threats against Venezuelan officials and its demands for massive investments from oil companies—impact global dynamics through this 'military-political-capital' exercise of power?

“The oil aboard the vessel will be sold.” Earlier on the 9th, U.S. Southern Command confirmed that U.S. military forces and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security jointly intercepted and seized the tanker 'Oliana' in the Caribbean Sea during a dawn operation, with no conflict reported. It is understood that this marks the fifth interception by the United States of vessels transporting Venezuelan crude oil in recent weeks, aimed at tightening control over Venezuela’s crude oil exports. The 'Oliana' had previously departed from Venezuela and was reportedly flying a falsified flag of Timor-Leste. According to the UK-based maritime risk management firm, the vessel’s AIS tracking system last registered activity 52 days ago, in the northeastern waters of Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone. Later that day, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, stating that the United States, in cooperation with Venezuela’s interim government, had seized a tanker that left Venezuela without their authorization. The vessel is currently en route back to Venezuela, and the oil onboard will be sold under an energy agreement established by the United States for such transactions. Venezuelan side: Launching an “exploratory diplomatic” process Acting President: Objective is to reaffirm condemnation On January 9 local time, Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement announcing that the U.S. State Department had dispatched a delegation of diplomats to Venezuela to conduct assessments related to diplomatic functions. The Venezuelan government decided to launch an “exploratory diplomatic” process with the U.S. government to restore bilateral diplomatic missions and formulate a joint agenda on matters of mutual concern. Meanwhile, Venezuela will dispatch its own diplomatic delegation to the United States. The statement added that Venezuela will respond to the United States’ prior military actions within the framework of international law, resolve issues through diplomatic channels, and strictly adhere to the principles of national sovereignty and the “Bolivarian Peace Diplomacy” philosophy. Earlier on the 9th local time, media reports claimed that Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez planned to visit Washington on the 13th. In response, Venezuela’s Minister of Communication and Information, Jorge Arreaza, posted on social media stating that Rodríguez has no plans for overseas travel in the near term. The Venezuelan government is currently focused on its domestic agenda to safeguard the people’s right to peace and stability. Venezuela’s Acting President Rodríguez stated on the 9th local time that she had held telephone conversations with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding the severe, criminal, illegal, and unjust aggression suffered by Venezuela. All parties agreed on the necessity of advancing a broad bilateral cooperation agenda grounded in respect for international law, national sovereignty, and dialogue among peoples. On January 9 local time, Venezuela’s Acting President Rodríguez delivered a speech stating that the Venezuelan government remains unwavering in its efforts to secure the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and to defend national dignity. Rodríguez emphasized that the Venezuelan government and the U.S. government are exploring channels to restore embassies, with the objective of reaffirming condemnation of the aggression inflicted upon the Venezuelan people. This aggression has severely affected the Venezuelan people, who should not be subjected to such treatment by a nuclear power. Rodríguez stated that Venezuela’s chosen path is one of self-strengthening, self-protection, and upholding sovereign claims—a path that will ensure the safe return of President Maduro and his wife. She added that diplomacy will serve as the arena for “face-to-face” engagement with the United States.

Who is Vice President Rodríguez, who assumed the duties of Venezuela’s president after Maduro’s arrest? What emergency measures might she take amid the current crisis?

The letter states that the Venezuelan people—and the region—deserve peace and dialogue, not war. This has consistently been the position of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and Venezuela has the right to peace, development, sovereignty, and a future. (CCTV International News) Who is Rodríguez? On January 3 local time, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled that Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez shall assume the office of Acting President, exercising all powers, duties, and authorities inherent to the presidency, to ensure continuity of the executive branch and comprehensive national defense. During the presidency of Hugo Chávez—the predecessor of Maduro—Delcy served in several mid-level government positions. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, later became Maduro’s chief political strategist. Jorge Rodríguez currently serves as President of the National Assembly. For over two decades, Delcy has been one of the core figures of “Chavismo,” the political movement founded by then-President Hugo Chávez and continued under Nicolás Maduro following Chávez’s death in 2013. In terms of concrete administrative experience, Delcy Rodríguez served as Minister of Communication and Information from 2013 to 2014, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2017. While serving as foreign minister, she represented Venezuela at international forums including the United Nations, where she accused certain countries of attempting to undermine Venezuela’s national stability. In 2017, following the opposition’s victory in the 2015 parliamentary elections, the government established the Constituent National Assembly, with Delcy appointed as its president. In 2018, Maduro appointed her as Executive Vice President during his second presidential term—a post she continues to hold today. Prior to Maduro’s arrest by the United States, she concurrently served as Venezuela’s top economic official and Minister of Petroleum. At the economic governance level, Delcy has steered Venezuela toward greater macroeconomic stability amid years of economic crisis and, despite intensifying U.S. sanctions, has incrementally and steadily increased the country’s oil production.

Venezuela’s Acting Leader Rodríguez Planned for UN Visit Amid Diplomatic Reset

6 days ago

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez plans to attend the UN General Assembly, marking a diplomatic reset with the US. The move follows a major oil agreement granting control over billions of barrels of reserves.

bloomberg

2026-05-29

Trump Administration Tells Prosecutors to Stand Down on Venezuela Leader Investigation

2026-06-02

Venezuela's Rodriguez to Discuss Energy Ties During India Visit

2026-06-02

Venezuela’s Rodríguez to Visit India as War Reshapes Oil Trade

2026-06-04

India Seeks Deeper Venezuela Oil Ties After Rodríguez and Modi Meet

2026-06-04

Indian companies willing to deepen presence in Venezuela, India's oil minister says