USA secures majority control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves

Præsident Donald Trump har annonceret en banebrydende aftale med Venezuelas midlertidige regeringing own to secure majority U.S. control over approximately 65 billion barrels of oil oil reserves, representing roughly one-fifth to one-third of the nation's total. Forhandlet af udenrigsminister Marco Rubio and Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, the deal involves a partnership with private industry to develop 17 oil fields in the Orinoco Belt and Lake Maracaibo regions. While the administration frames the move as an 'America First' victory to lower domestic gas prices and revitalize the Venezuelan economy, the plan faces steep obstacles including dilapidated infrastructure, legal hurdles regarding resource sovereignty, and skepticism from energy analysts.

// Baggrund

Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves but has seen production collapse to approximately 1.25 million barrels per day due to years of underinvestment underinvestment and sanctions. The political landscape shifted in January 2026 when the U.S. captured former President Nicolas Maduro, leading to the establishment of an interim government under Delcy Rodriguez that is more aligned with Washington's energy interests.

// Centrale Udviklinger

• USA'en sikrer sig flertallet af kontrollen over 65 milliarder tønder påviste olie-reserver uden omkostninger for de amerikanske skatteydere.
• Aftalen indebærer en forventede 100 milliarder dollars i private investeringer og 209 milliarder dollars i skatteindtægter til den venezuelanske regering.
• De målrettede felter er placeret i Orinoco-bæltet og Lake Maracaibo-regionerne og involverer 17 specifikke oliefelter.
• Aftalen følger efter anholdelsen af den tidligere præsident Nicolas Maduro i januar 2026 og indsættelsen af Delcy Rodriguez som midlertidig leder.
• Der er betydelige infrastrukturelle udfordringer, herunder tyveri af udstyr, forsømmelse og manglende adgang til transportknudepunkter.