Six months after the change in government, the United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has established an unprecedented level of influence over Venezuela’s financial system, oil industry, and state institutions. The US Treasury Department now controls the flow of export proceeds, dictating how these funds can be allocated and managed, rendering the Venezuelan leadership dependent on Washington’s decisions. This direct oversight extends to key personnel appointments, foreign policy directives, and even the approval of official statements, a dynamic starkly different from past approaches to Latin American governance.
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The New York Times reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio effectively governs Venezuela, controlling its finances, resource distribution, and governmental decisions, despite never having visited the country. This “de facto viceroy” status is maintained through U.S. Treasury control over Venezuelan export revenues, which are then disbursed to the interim government under strict conditions set by Rubio. This financial leverage extends to sanctions, business operations, and even foreign policy, as evidenced by the removal of a statement condemning U.S. actions. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez reportedly consults Rubio on her publications and foreign policy decisions, highlighting a level of subservience established after the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
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In response to recent US strikes, Iranian state media announced the Strait of Hormuz was “completely closed to all type of vessel.” However, US Central Command (Centcom) stated that “commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz,” indicating a discrepancy in reported activity. This contrasting information highlights the ongoing tensions and differing narratives surrounding maritime passage in this critical waterway.
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Federal prosecutors in Miami have been instructed to halt criminal investigations into Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a move that signifies warming relations between the White House and Venezuela. DEA records indicate Rodríguez has been on federal law enforcement’s radar since at least 2018 for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering. This directive to pause scrutiny is reportedly intended to avoid jeopardizing efforts to stabilize Venezuela and encourage U.S. investment in its oil sector. The administration’s shift in approach has led to the lifting of sanctions against Rodríguez, allowing her to re-establish financial ties and work with U.S. investors.
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President Donald Trump has again expressed interest in Venezuela becoming the 51st U.S. state, a notion previously met with strong opposition. However, acting President Delcy Rodríguez has adopted a more reserved stance this time, prioritizing a transactional, self-survival approach over traditional anti-U.S. sentiment. This shift is driven by the Trump administration’s phased plan to address Venezuela’s crisis and its decision to work with Rodríguez over the political opposition, leading to eased sanctions and U.S. recognition of her leadership.
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U.S. forces reportedly infiltrated Venezuela and arrested former president Nicolas Maduro, leading to an interim presidency. Despite suggestions of a U.S. administrative role, the country retains all functional attributes of sovereignty, with no indication of direct control or forcible annexation. The United States would not support the involuntary annexation of any territory, and any future Democratic president would be obligated to return forcibly acquired land to its previous status. Therefore, the legal and constitutional implications of annexing territories like Venezuela or Greenland warrant careful consideration, especially given the lack of recent U.S. territorial annexations.
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In a significant international effort, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, alongside partners, has successfully removed all enriched uranium from Venezuela’s RV-1 research reactor. This operation involved the safe retrieval of 13.5 kilograms of uranium, which was then securely packaged for transport. In close cooperation with the IAEA, the material was safely shipped by land and sea to a Department of Energy complex in South Carolina.
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The idea of forcefully opening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, is being framed as an unrealistic prospect, a notion that carries significant weight when considered from a strategic and practical standpoint. It’s not simply a matter of projecting military might into a narrow waterway; the surrounding geopolitical landscape and the nature of modern warfare render a direct, forceful intervention incredibly complex and likely counterproductive.
When we think about the sheer volume of oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz on a daily basis, the economic stakes become immediately apparent. Each supertanker can carry a staggering amount of crude, representing billions of dollars in value.… Continue reading
Despite promises of economic recovery under the new administration, Venezuelan citizens are experiencing continued hardship. Two months into the post-Maduro era, oil output and exports have plummeted, exacerbating dollar scarcity and fueling inflation that reached approximately 600 percent in February. While some analysts offer cautious optimism citing potential oil revenue increases and revised sector laws, the reality for most Venezuelans is stagnant wages and an unmet expectation of tangible improvement. Public frustration is mounting, evidenced by increased protests demanding higher wages and pensions, highlighting the significant challenge of rebuilding disrupted production chains and restoring investor confidence.
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Iran might be on the verge of a truly seismic shift in global oil trade, with whispers suggesting that tankers navigating the critical Strait of Hormuz could soon be granted passage only if their valuable oil cargo is paid for in Chinese yuan, effectively sidestepping the long-dominant U.S. dollar for a significant portion of these transactions. This proposal, if actualized, would represent a monumental challenge to the existing petrodollar system, a bedrock of global finance for decades, which currently dictates that approximately 80% of the world’s oil is priced and traded in U.S. dollars. Such a move by Iran, even if perceived as a bold statement, raises immediate questions about its feasibility and implications, particularly for China itself.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood