The United States is demanding that Venezuela sever economic relations with Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba in exchange for the ability to increase its oil production, according to an ABC News report citing sources familiar with White House plans.
The reported demands follow a U.S. military operation on Saturday that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who now face drug trafficking charges in a New York court. The U.S. is also seeking exclusive partnership on Venezuelan oil production and priority access to its crude oil sales, ABC reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that American companies have a right to access Venezuela's oil industry, which was nationalized under former leader Hugo Chavez. On Tuesday, he stated that "interim authorities" would turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to be sold under U.S. control.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally sworn in on Monday, has rejected any foreign control. Venezuelan officials have condemned the U.S. action as "an illegal act of armed aggression." The move has drawn sharp condemnation from Russia and China at the United Nations, with Moscow's envoy calling Maduro's capture "a cynical crime."