Trump’s Venezuela Gambit: A Bold Assertion of U.S. Control and Its Global Repercussions

In a stunning declaration from Air Force One, former and now-returned President Donald Trump asserted that the United States is “in charge” of Venezuela, following a military operation that reportedly captured President Nicolás Maduro. This dramatic escalation caps nearly two decades of mounting pressure, sanctions, and geopolitical maneuvering over a nation sitting on the world’s largest proven oil reserves. For Canadians watching from the north, this represents not just a regional power shift but a significant test of international law, global markets, and the future of foreign intervention.

The operation, which Trump stated has left some U.S. soldiers injured but in “good shape,” signals an unprecedented move from economic sanctions to direct military action. The President’s warning to Venezuela’s interim leadership to cooperate or face further consequences has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and financial markets, raising urgent questions about stability, sovereignty, and the price of oil.

From Sanctions to Strikes: A Timeline of Escalation

The path to Saturday’s military action was long and paved with economic measures. U.S. policy towards Venezuela has evolved through multiple administrations, employing sanctions as a primary tool to pressure the Maduro regime.

The Oil Factor: A Historic Driver of Conflict

Control over Venezuela’s immense oil wealth has always been a central theme. Under Hugo Chávez, oil revenue funded social programs and bolstered regional alliances, like providing Cuba with billions in subsidized oil. This legacy made the state-owned PDVSA a crown jewel and a prime target. As one analysis notes, “Control over oil has long shaped Venezuela’s political economy, structuring its relations with external powers.” The recent sanctions on oil traders and tankers were a final financial squeeze preceding military action.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as…” – President Donald Trump, on U.S. control of Venezuela.

Global Reaction and the Canadian Perspective

The international response has been mixed, highlighting deep fractures. Countries like Canada, which had previously recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president and imposed sanctions on Maduro officials, now face a complex new reality. The U.S. action tests the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention that underpin international order.

Reactions from other nations, as compiled by Reuters, range from cautious calls for dialogue to outright condemnation. Peru’s government, for instance, called for a solution “with full respect for international law and human rights.” Meanwhile, Russia, a long-time ally of Maduro, had previously warned of helping Venezuela defend against the “threat of the use of force” by the United States.

Investor Jitters and Geopolitical Risk

Beyond diplomacy, the immediate fallout is economic. As Reuters reports, “Trump’s Venezuela gambit tests investor appetite for geopolitical risk.” Markets may have underestimated the potential for such direct conflict, and the seizure of a major oil-producing country’s infrastructure introduces significant volatility. For global portfolios, including those of Canadian investors, this event is a stark reminder that geopolitical shocks can rapidly alter market landscapes.

The Road Ahead: Occupation and Uncertainty

President Trump’s vague declaration that the U.S. will run Venezuela “indefinitely” presents more questions than answers. What form will this control take? Is the goal immediate resource extraction or long-term nation-building? History suggests caution.

Analysts point out that in past interventions, “strategic impatience, domestic political pressures and the primacy of security and resource interests have repeatedly crowded out long-term institution-building.” The risk is a hollow transition, externally steered and politically unstable, failing to address the deep-seated economic collapse and humanitarian crisis that drove Venezuelan emigration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly did President Trump say about Venezuela?

Speaking aboard Air Force One, President Trump stated the United States is “in charge” of Venezuela and will “run the country,” including its oil infrastructure. He warned the country’s interim leadership to cooperate, suggesting further military action was possible if they did not.

What were the main U.S. sanctions on Venezuela before the military action?

The U.S. employed a series of escalating sanctions, most notably Executive Order 13850 which targeted the state oil company PDVSA in 2019, and December 2025 sanctions on international oil traders and tankers constituting a “shadow fleet” that funded Maduro’s regime.

How have other countries, including Canada, been involved in the Venezuela crisis?

Canada, along with the EU, Mexico, and Panama, had previously imposed individual sanctions on Maduro officials and, in 2019, recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim president. This aligned with a U.S.-led coalition of nearly 60 countries seeking to restore democracy.

What does this mean for global oil markets and investors?

The direct U.S. military intervention and control over Venezuelan oil fields introduces significant geopolitical risk. Markets are reassessing the potential for sudden supply disruptions and policy shocks, which could lead to increased volatility in oil prices and related investments.