U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Venezuela by issuing strong warnings over what he described as the “forcible expulsion” of American oil companies and the seizure of their assets by the Venezuelan state. Speaking at a public event, Mr. Trump claimed that U.S. energy firms were unfairly driven out of Venezuela and that their property, including oil-related assets, must be returned.
The remarks have triggered speculation about a potential confrontation between Washington and Caracas, though the White House has stopped short of formally announcing military action. Mr. Trump asserted that Venezuela’s actions amounted to theft and said the United States would not rule out “strong measures” if its demands were ignored.
Venezuela, under President Nicolás Maduro, nationalised large parts of its oil sector years ago, a move that led to the exit of several foreign companies amid sanctions and legal disputes. The Maduro government has consistently maintained that these actions were sovereign decisions taken in the national interest and in accordance with domestic law.
The latest statements come amid already strained U.S.-Venezuela relations, marked by economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and periodic military posturing in the region. Analysts view Mr. Trump’s comments as part of a broader hardline approach aimed at pressuring Caracas economically and politically, particularly over energy resources.
International observers have urged restraint, warning that further escalation could destabilise an already volatile region. For now, the rhetoric signals heightened pressure rather than an imminent declaration of war, but it underscores the fragile state of relations between the two countries.
