Monday, October 20, 2025

Trump wants to take control of Venezuela because of its energy riches



President Trump has greatly intensified U.S. actions toward Venezuela, but publicly, his administration claims these moves are driven by concerns over drug trafficking and an influx of Venezuelan migrants rather than a direct aim to take control of Venezuela's energy resources.aljazeera+2

Stated Motives for Intervention

Trump has authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela, citing two main reasons: the alleged release of Venezuelan prisoners into the U.S., and a significant flow of illegal drugs from Venezuela to the United States. He has not explicitly stated that energy resources are the main motive in official communications or press conferences.nytimes+4

Energy Resource Offers and Rejection

Recent reports confirm that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro discreetly offered the U.S. access to Venezuelan oil, gold, and other energy riches to ease diplomatic tensions. Maduro’s proposal included granting U.S. companies preferential contracts and limiting energy deals with Chinese, Iranian, and Russian firms. However, the Trump administration has rejected these offers, choosing instead to increase pressure with covert and military strategies and halting diplomatic negotiations.usatoday+2

Escalating Military and Intelligence Actions

The U.S. military has conducted multiple airstrikes on Venezuelan vessels suspected of drug trafficking and increased its regional presence with troops, warships, and aircraft. The administration is also considering land-based military intervention to further disrupt drug flows.reuters+4

Strategic Context

While Venezuela's substantial oil and gold reserves are a significant factor in global geopolitics, current evidence suggests U.S. actions are officially justified by anti-drug operations and concerns about migration. Energy resources remain subtly entwined, primarily through proposals from the Maduro government for U.S. access, which have been refused in favor of escalating regime-change pressure.cbsnews+1

Summary Table: Motives and Responses

ActorStated MotiveEnergy Resource InvolvementOfficial Response
Trump AdministrationDrugs, migration controlIndirect (Maduro's offers)Military, intelligence
Maduro GovernmentEased tensions with U.S.Proposed U.S. accessOffers rejected

Trump has not publicly stated that U.S. intervention aims to take control of Venezuelan energy riches, although Maduro’s offers indicate the strategic importance of these resources within their broader conflict.foxnews+1

  1. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/16/trump-approves-cia-operations-in-venezuela-what-we-know-and-whats-next
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/trump-covert-cia-action-venezuela.html
  3. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-confirms-cia-authorization-venezuela-2025-10-15/
  4. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ex1jq9pdvo
  5. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-18/trump-risking-war-in-venezuela-as-military-action-escalates/105905370
  6. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/17/trump-venezuela-maduro-offers-united-states-boat-attacks/86751608007/
  7. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-maduro-venezuela-united-states/
  8. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-venezuelas-maduro-doesnt-want-f-around-us
  9. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-weighs-land-strikes-in-venezuela-following-attacks-on-suspected-drug-boats
  10. https://energynewsbeat.co/what-is-really-going-on-in-venezuela-what-is-the-real-endgame-for-the-trump-administration/
  11. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/17/politics/cia-venezuela-trump-castro-noriega-analysis
  12. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/17/politics/video/trump-maduro-venezuela-natural-resources-digvid
  13. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/16/politics/venezuela-maduro-trump
  14. https://www.energyintel.com/00000199-edfe-dc43-a7fd-fdfe59f60000
  15. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/10/12/trump-war-on-drugs-venezuela-regime-change-column-00603440
  16. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-venezuelan-president-maduro-doesnt-want-fuck-around-with-us-2025-10-17/
  17. https://www.vox.com/politics/465074/venezuela-trump-maduro-regime-change-drug-boats
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposed_United_States_invasion_of_Venezuela
  19. https://www.facebook.com/cnn/posts/president-donald-trump-responded-to-reports-venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro-/1193900245935958/
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkmdHCqvtvk

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