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Jan 5, 2026 12:00 AM

Trump's White House Will Likely Demand A Cut Of Venezuela's Oil Windfall, Says Former US Envoy

Former U.S envoy Richard Haass said that President Donald Trump's decision to depose Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro may be less about justice and more about securing access, and potentially profits from the Latin American nation’s massive oil reserves.

This Is Foreign Policy For ‘Commercial Interests’

In an interview with Katie Couric on Sunday, Haass said that Trump’s press conference at Mar-a-Lago, hours after the U.S. military operation in the South American nation, made it clear that “this was all about the oil and all about access to the oil.”

According to Haass, Trump mentioned Venezuela’s oil reserves “83 times” during his speech. Trump also said that American oil companies will be investing billions in the nation to restore its dilapidated oil infrastructure following years of mismanagement, sanctions and underinvestment.

The White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.