The Venezuelan Government denounced this Sunday, November 30th, before the second ministerial conference of the OPEC+ alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, that the United States is trying to seize its oil reserves and is using the pretext of drug trafficking.
According to Venezuela, the United States intends to seize its oil reserves, maintaining a military deployment in the Caribbean Sea under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.
In a letter signed by President Nicolás Maduro and released by Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, the Venezuelan Government accused the United States of trying to seize its oil reserves through the use of lethal military force against the territorythe people and institutions of the country.
“This intention not only violates the provisions that govern peaceful coexistence between nations, but also puts the stability of Venezuelan oil production and the international market at serious risk,” he added.
The Maduro Government stated that Venezuela will remain firm in defending its natural energy resources and “will not give in to any type of blackmail or threat”.
Furthermore, it hopes to count on the best efforts of OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, as well as members of the OPEC+ alliance, to help stop what it considers to be an “intensifying aggression with increasing force.” and which, he warned, “seriously threatens the balance of the energy market, both for producing countries and consumers”.
Since mid-August, the United States has maintained a naval and air detachment in the Caribbean Sea, in waters close to Venezuelawhich they defend as part of their strategy to combat drug trafficking, but which Caracas considers a “threat” aimed at provoking a change of government.
During these months, the US armed forces attacked 20 vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 people.
The OPEC+ alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, decided this Sunday to keep the level of their joint oil supply unchanged, which represents almost half of global production, at least until April 1, 2026.
OPEC was founded in 1960 in Baghdad by Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. In 2016, the group agreed to cooperate with 10 other countries, including Russia, Mexico, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, creating the OPEC+ alliance.