President Donald Trump has stripped away the diplomatic veneer surrounding the US intervention in Venezuela, declaring in a New York Times interview that his administration intends to control the South American nation and its vast oil reserves for "years."

His comments confirm the worst fears of anti-imperialist critics: the removal of Nicolás Maduro was less about democracy and more about energy dominance. Trump claimed the new interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez is "giving us everything we feel is necessary," essentially describing a vassal state relationship.

The Neo-Colonial Playbook

Trump was explicit: "We’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil." This transactional approach marks a return to the Monroe Doctrine, treating Latin America as America’s backyard resource hub.

• Indefinite Oversight: When asked how long the US would oversee Venezuela, Trump replied, "I would say much longer [than a year]." This suggests a long-term occupation or administrative control, bypassing the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people.
• Global Oil Markets: The influx of Venezuelan crude under US control is designed to lower global prices, a move that benefits US consumers but hurts other oil producers.
• The African Echo: For resource-rich African nations, this is a glaring warning. The mask is off; foreign policy is now nakedly about resource extraction. If it can happen in Caracas, it can happen anywhere.

Democracy or Business?

By endorsing Rodríguez—a former Maduro loyalist—over opposition leader María Corina Machado, Trump has shown he prefers compliance to democracy. The message is clear: the US doesn't want a free Venezuela; it wants a profitable one.