Washington declares absolute influence in Venezuela and a three-phase plan

In a striking development reflecting the radical shift in the Latin American political landscape, the White House asserted that the United States now wields "maximum influence" over the interim authorities in Venezuela, following the dramatic events that led to the arrest of ousted President Nicolás Maduro. The US administration clarified that Washington will not merely observe, but will actively influence the decisions made by the new authorities to ensure a course aligned with American interests.

Dominating political decision-making

In a press briefing reflecting the US administration's firm tone, White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt stated that coordination with the interim authorities in Caracas was taking place at the highest levels, emphasizing that "the United States will continue to dictate its decisions." This statement clearly indicates Washington's desire to completely reshape the Venezuelan landscape after years of estrangement and hostility toward the Maduro regime, as the United States seeks to ensure the country does not return to the orbit of anti-Western alliances.

Rubio's plan: Stability then oil

For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a comprehensive strategy for dealing with the new situation, consisting of three main phases, in response to domestic criticism questioning the administration's readiness to handle the post-Maduro era. Rubio emphasized that US actions are carefully considered and not impulsive.

The plan includes the following stages:

• The first stage (stability): This involves establishing security and imposing order in countries that have suffered from prolonged unrest.
• The second phase (economic recovery): This is the crucial point that focuses on opening the Venezuelan market, specifically the energy sector, to American and Western companies, to ensure "fair access" to resources.
• The third stage (the transitional process): This is the final political stage, the details of which have not yet been discussed.

The economic context and the importance of Venezuelan oil

Current US actions cannot be separated from the strategic importance of Venezuela, which possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. For years, Venezuela's oil sector has suffered from deteriorating infrastructure and economic sanctions, leading to a sharp decline in production and exacerbating the economic and living crisis for its citizens.

In this context, the White House spokesperson's reference to an upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and executives from major oil companies to discuss the "tremendous opportunity" currently available is significant. This meeting underscores Washington's intention to rehabilitate Venezuela's energy sector under American leadership, a move that could reshape the global energy landscape, reduce reliance on other sources, and counter the growing Russian and Chinese influence in Venezuela over the past decade.

The future of elections

Despite talk of a political transition, Washington reiterated that it is "too early" to talk about holding elections at the moment, indicating that the top priority now is security and economic arrangements, and consolidating the pillars of the interim authority loyal to Washington before going to the ballot boxes.