U.S issues conditions Venezuelan government must meet before it can resume oil production

Friday, January 9, 2026 - The Trump administration has outlined a set of conditions Venezuela must meet before it can resume oil production, according to senior White House officials.

During discussions led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the administration reportedly told Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, that the country must sever ties with China, Iran, Russia and Cuba, and agree to partner exclusively with the United States on oil production.

The official’s said Rodríguez was also asked to prioritize the Trump administration and US oil companies in future oil sales.

The White House declined to confirm or deny the reported demands, describing them as “alleged.”

The development comes after US forces captured Venezuela’s former president, Nicolás Maduro, over the weekend. Sources familiar with the talks said Trump administration officials believe Venezuela can only survive economically for a few more weeks without relying on oil sales.

The demands were made as the administration said it had reached an agreement with Venezuela’s interim government to sell tens of millions of barrels of oil that have already been extracted. Rubio said proceeds from the sales would be controlled by the US government and distributed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people rather than corruption or remnants of the former regime.

Administration officials have also told US lawmakers that Venezuela must commit to holding free and fair elections, release political prisoners and dismantle drug gangs operating in the country.

However, Rubio reportedly told lawmakers that the most urgent priorities are expelling foreign adversaries, cooperating on oil production and sales, and improving collaboration on counter-narcotics efforts.

The administration has outlined a three-phase plan for Venezuela: stabilization, recovery and transition. Officials said the demands have been clearly communicated to Rodríguez’s government, though it remains unclear whether Caracas has agreed to them.

Senior officials added that a significant US military presence off Venezuela’s coast is intended to apply pressure, leaving the interim government with little choice but to comply. If Rodríguez cooperates, the administration has indicated it may consider reviewing sanctions against Venezuela.

Trump has privately told allies and advisers that he wants Iran, Russia and China out of the Western Hemisphere, with pressuring Venezuela to cut ties with them seen as a key first step.

While plans are still being developed to expand oil extraction and rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, officials said the immediate priority is preventing the country from supplying oil to US adversaries.

Trump is also expected to meet with oil executives at the White House, including representatives from Chevron, Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips. Other US oil company executives are also expected to attend.

The meeting follows Trump’s statement that Venezuela’s interim government will hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States, to be sold at market price, with the proceeds controlled by the US government.