OSNT Corporation

US Interests in Venezuela

The United States’ interests in Venezuela are multifaceted, encompassing economic, security, geopolitical, and humanitarian dimensions. Venezuela’s vast natural resources, strategic location in the Western Hemisphere, and role as a migration and narcotics transit point make it a focal point for US policy. As of November 2025, under the second Trump administration, these interests have intensified amid escalating tensions, including US military deployments, airstrikes on suspected drug vessels, and designations of Venezuelan entities as terrorist organizations. Below, I outline the primary interests, drawing from recent developments.

1. Economic Interests: Oil and Mineral Resources

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves (over 300 billion barrels), alongside significant gold, uranium, thorium, and other minerals. US policy aims to secure preferential access for American companies, reducing reliance on Venezuelan exports to rivals like China, Russia, and Iran.

• In October 2025, Maduro’s aides reportedly offered the Trump administration dominant stakes in oil and gold projects, preferential contracts for US firms, and a reversal of oil flows from China to the US, in exchange for easing pressure. This reflects Maduro’s bid to avert conflict, but the US has pursued leverage through sanctions and military posturing instead.
• The US has imposed over 350 sanctions since 2017 on Venezuelan entities, including Executive Order 13884 (2019), which blocks government property in US possession. These target the regime’s revenue from oil, aiming to weaken Maduro while opening doors for US energy firms post-regime change.
• Broader goal: Prevent Chinese and Russian dominance in Venezuelan mining and energy, which could fund anti-US activities. China has warned the US against military action, citing its “major investment interests” in Venezuela.

2. Security Interests: Countering Narcotics and Gangs

The US views Venezuela as a key transit hub for cocaine and a base for transnational gangs, threatening domestic security through drug flows and migration-fueled crime.

• In 2025, the Trump administration designated the Tren de Aragua gang and Cartel de los Soles (allegedly tied to Maduro officials) as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), enabling military strikes. Since September 2025, US forces have conducted at least 16 airstrikes on Caribbean and Pacific vessels, killing over 65 alleged narcoterrorists.
• A $50 million bounty on Maduro (announced August 2025) accuses him of aiding cartels and gangs. The US has deported Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
• August 2025 saw a secret Pentagon directive authorizing force against Latin American cartels, with deployments including three Aegis destroyers, amphibious ships, surveillance aircraft, and a submarine near Venezuela. Trump has warned of closing Venezuelan airspace to disrupt smuggling.

These actions align with a “mature, realistic” policy under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, framing Maduro as a narcotics kingpin destabilizing the US via drugs and migration.

3. Geopolitical Interests: Regional Stability and Countering Adversaries

Venezuela’s alliances with Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba position it as a foothold for US rivals in America’s “backyard,” prompting efforts to isolate Maduro and promote regime change.

• Proximity (just 1,500 miles from Florida) raises national security concerns; instability could amplify refugee flows to US borders. Trump has linked Maduro to mass migration as a destabilization tactic, echoing historical fears of Soviet influence.
• The US has deployed 15% of its naval power (10 vessels, 10,000 troops) to the Caribbean—the largest buildup since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis—positioning it as “gunboat diplomacy” to deter Venezuelan aggression and signal resolve to adversaries. An aircraft carrier group arrived in November 2025 amid tensions.
• Policy shift: Trump reversed Biden’s engagement, boycotting 2025 elections and canceling $37 million in democracy aid. The CIA now operates inside Venezuela, and Maduro’s regime was designated an FTO in November 2025, expanding US strike options.
• Critics argue this risks quagmire, but proponents see it as advancing “America First” by preventing a Chinese/Russian proxy state.

4. Humanitarian and Democratic Interests

The US supports Venezuelan civil society and opposes Maduro’s repression, though aid has waned amid confrontation.

• Venezuela’s crisis—73% poverty rate, 7.9 million needing aid, 827 political prisoners—drives US calls for free elections and prisoner releases. The International Criminal Court investigates Maduro’s forces for crimes against humanity.
• National interest waivers allow limited US funding for human rights programs, but 2025 saw a pivot to pressure tactics over diplomacy.
• Opposition figures like María Corina Machado (2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner) receive tacit US backing, with goals of power-sharing to avoid post-Maduro revenge cycles.

Interest Category	Key US Actions (2025)	Strategic Rationale
Economic (Oil/Minerals)	Sanctions; offers for US contracts	Secure resources, counter China/Russia
Security (Drugs/Gangs)	FTO designations; 16+ airstrikes	Disrupt narcotics/migration threats
Geopolitical	Naval buildup; CIA ops	Prevent rival footholds; ensure hemispheric dominance
Humanitarian/Democratic	Bounty on Maduro; aid waivers	Promote stability, human rights

In summary, US interests prioritize resource access, border security, and countering authoritarian alliances, often through coercive means. While regime change is debated (likelihood of war low per Trump), a “grand bargain” for power-sharing could align with long-term goals without full invasion. Tensions remain high, with potential for diplomatic off-ramps if Maduro concedes on oil and elections.