Trump's claims to Venezuelan oil are part of broader 'resource imperialism', experts say

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Trump’s claims to Venezuelan oil are part of broader ‘resource imperialism’, experts say[/b

Critics compare offensive to Iraq war, citing familiar mix of regime-change rhetoric, security pretexts and oil interests

Dharna Noor and Oliver Milman
Wed 24 Dec 2025 15.00 GMT
Last modified on Wed 24 Dec 2025 15.04 GMT

Donald Trump’s recent claims that the US should keep Venezuelan oil from seized tankers are part of a broader belief in rightwing “resource imperialism”, experts say.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has escalated pressure on Venezuela, invoking drug-trafficking claims. This month, the US intercepted two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and began pursuing a third, while intensifying its campaign against the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.

Critics have compared the offensive to the Iraq war, citing a familiar mix of regime-change rhetoric, security pretexts and oil interests. This month, the Trump administration labeled fentanyl – which it says flows from Venezuela – a “weapon of mass destruction”.

On Monday, Trump suggested oil seized from Venezuela could be treated as a US asset. “Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it,” he told reporters. “Maybe we’ll use it in the strategic reserves. We’re keeping the ships also.”

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/24/trump-venezuela-oil-resource-imperialism

[AnnaLee]

1. I have been reminded of PNAC lately

Project for a new American century (PNAC) which, during the George Bush era when I became acquainted with them, seemed to picture the attainment of American affluence in the world as an opportunity to a turn at imperialism in the classic Great Britian/France/Spain etc. of the past.