Democrats Slam Trump's Venezuela Oil Deal as Corruption

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) wrote on X: "Let's be clear: this isn't a win." He added, "This is proof Trump put our service members at risk to get Venezuelan oil for his billionaire buddies. Putting our soldiers' lives on the line for private profit is a gross dereliction of his constitutional duty."

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused the president of using Maduro's ouster to "control Venezuelan oil." Kaine wrote: "Will prices come down for Americans? Who knows but likely not as much as Trump has forced them up thru his idiotic Iran War." He continued: "But here's a guarantee—this will pad the pockets of Trump family and Big Oil companies and delay transition to cleaner energy. Bottom line—Using our troops for a private oil grab is corruption at epic scale!"

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) hit back: "If it were up to DC Democrats, Maduro would still be in power, Venezuelan oil would be going to China at half price, and the people of Venezuela would be getting robbed by a corrupt regime. Instead, this historic deal benefits both countries for generations!"

Venezuela's acting leader, Delcy Rodriguez, called the deal a "historic milestone in bilateral relations between Venezuela and the U.S." She said: "These investments will contribute not only to the recovery and modernization of our industry, but also to our country's economic growth, the energy security of our hemisphere, and greater balance in international markets."

Inside Venezuela

The deal is drawing fire from both directions in Caracas. The Financial Times reported that Venezuela's opposition called the agreement with the Trump administration potentially illegal, while government hardliners cast it as a betrayal.

The New York Times reported that the handover of majority control over vast Venezuelan reserves strikes at the heart of the country's national identity, quoting the charge that it amounts to "a new form of U.S. colonialism."