The White House said Wednesday that Venezuela's interim government decisions will be "dictated by the United States," as Washington seized two oil tankers and announced plans to control all sales of the country's petroleum following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration has "maximum leverage" over Venezuela's authorities after Saturday's military operation in Caracas that seized Maduro.
"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," Leavitt told reporters.
US forces on Wednesday seized the Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, in the North Atlantic after a weeks-long pursuit, and the M Sophia in the Caribbean Sea. Both vessels were accused of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan crude.
The US Energy Department said Washington would oversee all Venezuelan oil shipments worldwide, permitting exports only through approved channels. Sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels will begin immediately, with proceeds held in US-controlled accounts at international banks.
US Vice President JD Vance said controlling Venezuela's oil would allow Washington to pressure the country "without wasting a single American life".
"We control the energy resources, and we tell the regime, you're allowed to sell the oil so long as you serve America's national interest," Vance told Fox News.
Marinera, formerly known as Bella M
The Coast Guard tracked the Marinera under a federal court warrant after the ship fled when officers attempted to board it on 15 December.
The vessel was subsequently renamed and reflagged to Russia, with the crew painting a Russian flag on the hull, a US official said.
Russia's Foreign Ministry demanded the crew's swift return home and accused Washington of violating international maritime law.
Prior to the capture, a Russian submarine and other vessels were said to have been escorting the tanker as it fled away from the Caribbean and towards the north Atlantic.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department is investigating crew members for failing to obey Coast Guard orders. Washington placed the Marinera on its sanctions list last year over allegations it transported cargo for a Hezbollah-linked entity.
The UK Ministry of Defence said British forces assisted the operation with reconnaissance aircraft. UK Defence Secretary John Healey accused the vessel of supporting "a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion" funding conflict across multiple regions.
The M Sophia stopped broadcasting its location in July. Analysts at Windward estimated the tanker carried roughly 1.8 million barrels when it departed Venezuela's Jose Terminal late last month, a cargo valued at approximately $108 million at current prices.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said both ships were part of a shadow fleet of aging tankers that smuggle oil for sanctioned countries.
Cooperation with US 'the only way'
At least 16 tankers departed Venezuelan waters following Saturday's military action, according to vessel tracking organisation TankerTrackers.com.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuelan interim authorities requested that crude from the captured vessels be included in Trump's announced oil transfer agreement.
"They understand that the only way they can move oil and generate revenue and not have economic collapse is if they cooperate and work with the United States," Rubio told reporters after briefing lawmakers.
The Trump administration plans to authorise imports of oilfield equipment and services to boost Venezuelan production to roughly 1 million barrels per day. Officials said they would invest in the electricity grid to increase output.
Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA said negotiations with Washington would follow existing commercial arrangements with companies including Chevron.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Venezuela would pursue economic relationships across multiple continents, characterising US engagement as standard diplomatic practice.
US Senator Chris Murphy condemned the strategy after classified briefings on Capitol Hill, calling it "insane" and accusing the administration of planning to seize Venezuelan petroleum by force while attempting to run the country from Washington.
Trump will meet US oil executives on Friday to discuss plans for Venezuela's oil sector, Leavitt said.
