Trump announces to the world that the US will govern Venezuela and hand over oil management to American companies

The President of the United States, Donald Trumpdeclared this Saturday that the North American government will begin to exercise direct control over Venezuela, in a statement that generated strong international repercussions and reignited the debate on sovereignty, international law and economic interests in South America.

During a press conference, Trump stated that the United States will “govern Venezuela” for as long as they deem necessary, characterizing what analysts and foreign authorities began to classify as a milestone of direct interference in the region.

The statement came hours after the announcement of the capture of the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduroa military operation whose legality and details have not yet been confirmed by multilateral organizations or by the Venezuelan government itself. When speaking to journalists, Trump made it clear that, in his administration’s view, intervention is not limited to the military or judicial field, but includes political and economic control of the country.

“We are going to govern Venezuela,” says Trump

Directly, Trump stated that the United States will take over the management of Venezuelan affairs. “We are going to govern Venezuela,” declared the president, adding that the American presence will be maintained “for as long as necessary.” According to him, the decision aims to guarantee political stability, combat drug trafficking and reorganize the country’s economy, which is facing a long institutional and economic crisis.

The speech was interpreted by international observers as an explicit break with basic principles of international law, which prohibit the occupation and government of a sovereign State by another country without authorization from multilateral organizations, such as the UN Security Council.

Oil at the center of the strategy

During the same press conference, Trump stated that United States oil companies will be responsible for managing Venezuela’s energy wealth. The president named giants in the sector, such as Exxon Mobil e Chevronwhich, according to him, will play a central role in managing the South American country’s oil reserves.

Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, estimated at more than 300 billion barrels, which places it in a strategic position in the global energy market. By mentioning the handover of the administration of these reserves to American companies, Trump reinforced the perception that the economic component is one of the central axes of the offensive against the country.

“These companies know how to manage, they know how to produce and they know how to generate wealth,” said Trump, justifying the choice. The president did not detail under what legal basis these companies would operate nor whether there would be any type of formal agreement recognized internationally.