Trump said the U.S. would “run” Venezuela and sell its oil. Now it’s starting to happen - Fortune

Fortune
March 18, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Trump's stated plan to have the US control Venezuelan oil resources and sell it is beginning to be implemented.

How This Affects You

Gas prices and US energy costs could be affected by shifts in Venezuelan oil control and availability, though specific impacts depend on implementation details not provided.

AI Summary

President Trump has made statements about U.S. involvement in Venezuela's governance and oil resources, and Fortune reports those statements are beginning to materialize into policy actions. The Trump administration has been pursuing increased control or influence over Venezuelan oil markets as part of a broader shift in U.S. policy toward the country. This represents a significant escalation from previous administrations' approach and signals Trump's willingness to intervene directly in Latin American energy and political affairs. The development has implications for Venezuela's sovereignty, global oil markets, and U.S. relations with other nations that have competing interests in the region. It remains unclear how far the administration intends to push this agenda or what formal mechanisms it plans to use to assert influence over Venezuelan operations.

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