Venezuelas Power Struggle Enters New Phase with Trumps Involvement in Oil Industry

US President Donald Trump’s administration has taken control of Venezuela’s oil, following the removal of President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. The operation was carried out by the US, and its intentions have been met with varying reactions from different groups.

Vanessa Neumann, a former Venezuelan opposition envoy to the UK and Ireland, will be debating Mehdi Hasan on the topic of regime change, oil control, and democracy in Venezuela. Neumann will argue that Trump’s intervention was necessary, citing Maduro’s long-standing rule as justification for the US action.

Alejandro Velasco, an associate professor of history at New York University, and Estefanía Melendez, a former diplomatic envoy for the Venezuelan opposition, will also participate in the discussion. They will provide their perspectives on the implications of Trump’s actions and the future of Venezuela.

The interim leadership in Venezuela has struck deals with Washington, which some see as a necessary transition to democracy. Others argue that this move is a form of colonialism, where external forces are exerting control over the country’s affairs.

Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, a professor of international law at Birkbeck College, University of London, will share his expertise on the legal aspects of Trump’s intervention and its potential impact on Venezuela’s sovereignty. The debate aims to shed light on the complexities surrounding Venezuela’s future and whether it will be shaped by Venezuelans or external forces.

Source: Al Jazeera