U.S. Demands Venezuela Sever Ties With China, Russia, Iran and Cuba to Unlock Oil Partnership

The United States government has put forward a set of preconditions to Venezuela’s interim leadership
regarding the reactivation and expansion of Venezuelan oil production, including demands that Caracas
sever economic and strategic ties with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba and agree to exclusive cooperation
with U.S. oil firms, according to an ABC News report citing sources familiar with the matter.

U.S. officials conveyed the conditions to acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez in recent days,
telling Venezuelan authorities that they must meet these terms before Washington will allow the regime
to resume greater oil exports and partner in production efforts.

One of the demands, according to the report, is that Venezuela kick out China, Russia, Iran and Cuba
longstanding diplomatic and economic partners, and abandon cooperation agreements with those
nations.
In addition, the United States is asking Venezuela to agree to exclusive partnership terms on oil
production with the U.S. and to favor American purchasers when selling heavy crude oil.
The U.S. strategy, as outlined by sources familiar with the administration’s plan, would position U.S.
companies at the center of Venezuela’s oil sector, which remains critical to global crude supplies due to
the country’s large proven reserves.

According to the report, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the conditions in a private
briefing with lawmakers earlier this week, saying that the Trump administration believes it can exert
pressure on Caracas because Venezuela’s existing oil tankers are largely full, a situation created in part
by export blockades that have hampered portfolio sales.
Rubio also noted that U.S. estimates indicated the Venezuelan government could be pushed toward
economic insolvency within a matter of weeks without access to wider oil revenues.
Experts say that requiring Venezuela to end economic ties with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba would
represent a major geopolitical shift, since Caracas has long relied on these countries for diplomatic
support, investment, technical assistance and crude oil purchases.

In particular, China has been a principal buyer of Venezuelan oil, while Russia, Iran and Cuba have been
key political and economic partners under previous administrations.
Beijing has already condemned Washington’s demands, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry describing
them as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law, asserting that cooperation
agreements between sovereign states must be respected.
Chinese officials said that the U.S. stance amounts to bullying and ignores the legal framework
protecting bilateral agreements.

Venezuelan officials have not yet issued a comprehensive public response to the ABC News report on
the conditions.
However, acting President Delcy Rodríguez and other government representatives have repeatedly
denounced external interference in Venezuela’s political and economic affairs in recent weeks, saying
that Caracas will defend its independence and sovereign decisions.

The U.S. demands come amid heightened geopolitical tension following the U.S. military intervention in
Venezuela in early January 2026, in which forces loyal to the Trump administration captured former
President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
That operation, and subsequent discussions about Venezuela’s oil sector, have already triggered
international debate over sovereignty, legal authority and foreign alignment.

Analysts say that the unfolding situation marks a significant moment in U.S., Venezuelan relations and
could have wide-ranging implications for global oil markets, diplomatic alignments and the balance of
influence among major powers in the Western Hemisphere.

By Oyinkansola Shittu.

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