The United States has laid out strict conditions for Venezuela to increase or resume broader oil production and sales, pressing Caracas to cut economic and strategic links with China, Russia, Iran and Cuba and to give priority to U.S. partners in its oil sector, according to U.S. and international media reports. Washington’s demands, reportedly communicated to interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, include partnering exclusively with the U.S. on oil output and favoring American markets for heavy crude, a shift that would represent a dramatic realignment of Venezuela’s energy diplomacy after years of close ties with Beijing and Moscow. 

The pressure comes amid broader U.S. efforts to control Venezuelan oil resources following heightened tensions, including the controversial capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The White House announcement envisions selling millions of barrels of Venezuelan crude in the U.S. and potentially easing some sanctions to facilitate this flow, while leveraging oil revenue and partnerships with American energy firms. Analysts and foreign governments, notably China, have condemned the U.S. stance as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and international norms.