Rubio Directs Venezuela's Acting President, Controls Oil Revenue as U.S. Firms Enter
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Rubio Directs Venezuela's Acting President, Controls Oil Revenue as U.S. Firms Enter
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Summary
Marco Rubio has been directing acting president Delcy Rodríguez by text message, controlling her government's access to Venezuela's oil revenues and influencing hiring and purges, according to the report.
That arrangement has helped Rodríguez open Venezuela to U.S. companies after U.S. special forces captured Nicolás Maduro in January and American officials and oil executives began frequent trips to Caracas.
The Trump administration says democratic elections must wait until the energy sector stabilizes and the economy recovers, reinforcing U.S. leverage over the country's political transition.
Analysts and former Venezuelan officials describe the setup as a surrender of sovereignty rather than a formal occupation, with no declared U.S. military rule despite about 900 American troops assisting earthquake recovery.
The report frames Venezuela as a modern example of informal empire, where major powers can control key state functions and economic assets without annexation or outright occupation.
Trump wants Venezuela as the 51st state, but what happens to its claim on oil-rich Essequibo?
As billions in Venezuelan oil revenue flow under U.S. control, where is the money actually going?
With its oil wealth managed from abroad, is Venezuela's path back to true sovereignty now an illusion?
U.S. De Facto Rule in Venezuela: Oil, Accountability, and the Struggle for Democratic Transition (2026–2027)
Overview
Since the removal of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, the United States has taken de facto control of Venezuela’s key sectors, rapidly restructuring the country’s economy and politics. President Trump’s push to restart Venezuela’s oil industry began immediately, with the U.S. issuing licenses to encourage American investment while excluding rivals like Russia and China. Although Delcy Rodríguez’s government remains in place to avoid civil conflict, doubts about its legitimacy persist. The U.S. now oversees major financial flows and influences political reforms, but uncertainty remains over the timeline for elections and the true return of Venezuelan sovereignty.